Viability of mushroom farms hit as prices dip

THE viability of many of the country’s 400 mushroom farmers is in doubt because of falling prices, increasing costs and stiff competition on the British market.

Irish Mushroom Growers Association chairman Aidan Ryan issued the warning after grower representatives and the six main mushroom marketing companies met in Mullingar to discuss the current crisis in the industry.

He said all the marketing companies present painted a very poor picture of the future prospects for the industry. Stiff competition from eastern Europe is forcing the Dutch to compete with Irish produce in the British market. This has resulted in price decreases this summer, and if a further price reduction on the scale that some companies suggested happens, then he had no doubt that the number of mushroom producers could half in the next year.