Mushrooms and truffles market in Northern Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The North African mushrooms and truffles market expanded from 2 929 t in 2018 to 4 362 t by 2020. This early growth coincided with the startup phase for mushroom seed production in Morocco and the emergence of key players like Mushlab®, which laid groundwork for domestic supply. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced seasonal demand fluctuations and supply chain disruptions, influencing consumption patterns.

Market volume continued to rise, reaching 5 141 t in 2021 and stabilizing near 5 173 t in 2022, supported by steady production increases and consistently high import levels.

Adverse climatic conditions, including drought and high temperatures across North Africa in 2023, pressured local cultivation, yet the market grew to 5 238 t as imports compensated. By 2024, rising energy costs and global logistics disruptions affected production and distribution expenses, while the introduction of high-value species like cordyceps militaris and the development of mushrooms as industrial biomass opened new premium and non-food segments.

Production mushrooms and truffles in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

World map of production of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, Northern Africa's production volume of mushrooms and truffles increased. In 2020, the region produced 3 136 tonnes, marking a slight 1.0% advance from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 8.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 104 tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 7.0% decrease.

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

Exports mushrooms and truffles from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of mushrooms and truffles from Northern Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 54 tonnes, showing a sharp fall of 85.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 96.7%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 68.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Northern Africa's mushroom and truffle exports in kind were Kuwait, the Netherlands, and Qatar. Kuwait accounted for 22.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 20.8%, and Qatar for 19.8%. Together, these three countries formed the primary group, representing a combined share of 63.1% 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

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports peaked in 2018 at 9 065 thousand US dollars and reached their lowest point in 2020 at 741 thousand US dollars, with a 12.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, deliveries from Northern Africa recorded a reduction of 79.8% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was observed in 2018, with a rise of 29.9%.

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

In value terms, the leading destinations for Northern Africa's mushroom and truffle exports from 2017 to 2020 were Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Kuwait accounted for 28.2% of exports, Qatar for 26.9%, and Saudi Arabia for 15.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 70.7% 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 mushrooms and truffles to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imported volumes of mushrooms and truffles into Northern Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 1 280 tonnes, amounting to a 6.3% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 114.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was overwhelmingly the main source for Northern Africa's mushroom and truffle imports in kind, accounting for 99.1% of total flows.

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

Northern Africa's imports of mushrooms and truffles in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 1 882 thousand US dollars, up by 9.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 145.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 34.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain played a dominant role in Northern Africa's mushroom and truffle imports in value terms, consistently accounting for 97.5% of total flows.

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

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