Organic Mushroom Industry Expands To meet Rising Consumer Interest

Despite the associated higher costs of production, organic mushrooms have captured nearly 11 percent of the total mushroom production volume (as measured by the volume that growers sold as certified organic) in the 2021/22 marketing season (July–June). Most U.S. conventional and organic mushroom production consists of the genus known as Agaricus, which includes white button mushrooms, portabello, and crimini mushrooms. The specialty mushroom category includes varieties such as shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane mushrooms. Agaricus mushrooms typically represent about 80 percent of organic mushroom volume produced by U.S. growers. While specialty mushrooms represent a smaller percentage of organic production volume, organic specialty mushroom production exceeded conventional specialty mushroom production volume in 4 of the 10 years between marketing years 2012/13 and 2021/22.