Dried mushrooms market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The North African dried mushrooms market expanded significantly from 133.5 t in 2018 to 185.6 t in 2019. This growth was driven by increased domestic production, supported by specialized companies with experience in Asian mushroom varieties. The adoption of controlled-environment cultivation allowed for year-round availability, while diversification into functional and exotic mushrooms attracted broader consumer interest.

Market volume experienced a minor contraction to 179.6 t in 2020 due to pandemic-related disruptions in demand and supply chains, although domestic production was maintained. A rebound followed in 2021, with volume reaching 215.0 t, fueled by growing consumer interest in mushrooms as functional foods and the development of innovative mushroom-based meat alternatives.

The market surged to 267.5 t in 2022, supported by intensified research and development efforts to enhance productivity through modern technologies and rising demand for affordable white mushrooms. Volume then adjusted to 240.7 t in 2023, even as major players expanded their capacities and global plant-based diet trends continued to influence the region. The period also saw the promising start of mushroom cultivation in West Africa and the adoption of circular economy practices in production.

Production dried mushrooms in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried mushrooms, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried mushrooms, 2017-2020

Dried mushroom production in Northern Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 136.7 tonnes of dried mushrooms, marking a gradual gain of 5.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production surged by 106.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 27.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried mushrooms from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, kg

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their minimum in 2019 at 2 318 kg and peaked in 2017, showing a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, dried mushroom exports from Northern Africa amounted to 2 543 kg, representing a modest increase of 9.7% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 92.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for dried mushroom exports from Northern Africa were Kuwait, accounting for 43.5% of exports in kind, Belgium with 12.6%, and Qatar at 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 68.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Dried mushroom exports from Northern Africa have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 33.5 thousand US dollars worth of dried mushrooms, indicating a sharp drop of 39.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 93.1%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 59.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for dried mushroom exports in value terms were Kuwait, with 27.2% of exports, Belgium at 22.7%, and France with 15.2%. This cluster of countries accounted for 65.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried mushrooms to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Northern Africa imported 45 394 kg of dried mushrooms, corresponding to a solid decrease of 21.5% year-over-year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 39 054 kg. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 30.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 11.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 40.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 48.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of dried mushroom imports in kind was dominated by China, which absorbed 88.7% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among a large number of minor partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of dried mushrooms to Northern Africa totalled 380.0 thousand US dollars, indicating a substantial decline of 19.5% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 307.6 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 472.2 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.2%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 6.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 33.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 53.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China played a leading role in dried mushroom imports to Northern Africa in value terms, with a share of 85.3% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed across other partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020