Fewer growers producing more mushrooms

MORE than 400 Irish growers produced 68,000 tonnes of mushrooms in 2001 with a farm gate value of 130 million according to the Teagasc census of mushroom production published yesterday.

The census shows that, while mushroom production continues to increase, the number of growers has declined from 576 in 1997 to 409 in 2001.

A significant number of smaller growers have ceased production or have leased their units to other growers. The census reveals that a considerable number of committed growers have erected new production facilities and that new growers have also entered the industry in recent years.