Organic Mushroom Production Concentrated in Pennsylvania

Sales and the retail market share of organic mushrooms have risen in the last decade, and U.S. farmers—especially in Pennsylvania—have increased organic mushroom production to accommodate growing consumer demand. In 2009, organic mushrooms accounted for 2 percent of the total retail mushroom market, a share that grew to 11 percent by 2021. Organic mushroom production increased from 17 million pounds in the marketing year 2009/10 (July–June) to 114 million pounds of mushrooms that were certified organic during the 2022/23 growing season. Mushrooms generally are grown indoors, under glass or in a controlled environment, so natural soil and temperature conditions may not matter in deciding where they are grown. In the United States, the leading producer of mushrooms—organic as well as conventional—is Pennsylvania, followed by California. Pennsylvania has been a major producer of mushrooms since the 1880s, and today its growers have developed specialized knowledge and housing equipped with proper ventilation needed for extensive mushroom production.