Dried mushrooms market in Southern Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The dried mushroom market in Southern Asia expanded significantly from 20 493 tonnes in 2018 to 34 307 tonnes in 2023. Initial growth was supported by government and industry efforts to enhance production quality and explore export markets. Subsequently, rising consumer awareness of health benefits and the popularity of vegetarian and vegan diets boosted demand for protein-rich alternatives, while the entry of new players focusing on value-added products like dried and powdered mushrooms further stimulated market expansion.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated a shift in consumer preferences towards functional mushrooms, such as reishi and lion's mane, valued for their immunity-boosting properties. This trend sustained demand despite supply chain disruptions. In 2021, market volume experienced a temporary decline, but concurrent rapid growth in searches for functional mushroom products indicated strong underlying consumer interest and set the stage for recovery.

From 2022 onwards, production and market size recovered robustly, supported by continued government and private investments in cultivation training, processing facilities, and supply chain logistics. The introduction of new mushroom varieties and the growth of export-oriented production, coupled with stable regulatory conditions, solidified the market's upward trajectory.

Production dried mushrooms in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried mushrooms, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried mushrooms, 2017-2020

Southern Asia's dried mushroom production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 25 790 tonnes of dried mushrooms, marking a steady increase of 5.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 67.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 18.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried mushrooms from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Southern Asia exported 218.0 tonnes of dried mushrooms in 2020, representing a decline of 15.9% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 27.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 179.6 tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 40.3%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, rising by 44.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

An analysis of export volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a wide distribution across multiple markets. Hong Kong accounted for 20.0% of exports, the United Kingdom for 17.0%, and France for 7.7%. Together, these three markets made up 44.6% of total exports, leaving a significant 55.4% share to other trading partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over the analyzed period. From 2018 to 2020, there was a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.8 times. In 2020, foreign dried mushroom supplies from Southern Asia were valued at 4 676 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic increase of 147.6% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 661 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 28.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong and France remained the primary buyers of dried mushrooms from Southern Asia in value terms, together accounting for 80.4% of total exports. The remaining share was fragmented across various other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried mushrooms to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of dried mushrooms to Southern Asia totaled 322.9 tonnes, reflecting a significant drop of 44.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 25.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -9.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 583.4 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 52.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China consistently served as the main destination for imports in volume terms, capturing 70.1% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, dried mushroom imports into Southern Asia declined. In 2020, the region imported 1 046 thousand US dollars worth of dried mushrooms, showing a sharp reduction of 46.0% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 41%, which corresponds to an annualized decrease of 16.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 938 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 8.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms. China accounted for 58.6% of imports, the United Arab Emirates for 18.4%, and Thailand for 7.4%. Together, these three countries represented 84.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020