Mushrooms and truffles market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh mushrooms and truffles in Southern Asia began a strong expansion from 2018, driven by significant improvements in cultivation techniques that enabled year-round production of button mushrooms using advanced technology. Entry of new players and capacity expansions in 2019 further boosted output, meeting rising consumer demand linked to growing health awareness and vegetarian diets.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, heightened interest in healthy and functional foods increased mushroom consumption as a protein source. This trend, coupled with sustained international export demand from markets like the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S., supported continued market growth through 2021 and 2022.

Regulatory enhancements, including the approval of FSSAI standards for edible truffles and mushrooms in 2022, improved quality oversight and labeling requirements. Ongoing product innovation, such as functional mushroom-based beverages, and the expansion of key companies contributed to further market growth through 2023.

Production mushrooms and truffles in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

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

Southern Asia's production of mushrooms and truffles has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 287.3 thousand tonnes, marking a 14.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 77.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 21.0%.

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

Exports mushrooms and truffles from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Southern Asia's exports of mushrooms and truffles experienced a decline. In 2020, exports totaled 4 326 tonnes, down 34.1% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports still rose by 27.8%, with an annualized rate of 8.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 6 565 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 45.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Southern Asia's mushroom and truffle exports were Iraq, accounting for 50.3% of exports in volume, the United Arab Emirates at 20.0%, and Kuwait at 6.9%. Together, these three markets represented 77.3% of total export flows.

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

After two years of increases, Southern Asia's mushroom and truffle exports in value terms saw a downturn. In 2020, exports reached 6 839 thousand US dollars, a sharp drop of 50.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, exports fell by 41.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 768 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top buyers of Southern Asia's mushrooms and truffles by value were Iraq, with a 31.5% share, France at 13.7%, and Hong Kong at 13.6%. Combined, these three accounted for 58.8% of total export value.

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 mushrooms and truffles to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Southern Asia's imports of mushrooms and truffles in volume terms rose to 568 tonnes, up 29.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 74.1%, averaging an annual rate of 20.3%. The largest decrease was in 2019 at 10.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 50.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, imports of mushrooms and truffles to Southern Asia were spread across many markets. China led with 18.2% of imports in volume, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 15.2%, and Thailand at 7.5%. Together, these three sources made up 40.9% of total import flows.

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

Southern Asia's imports of mushrooms and truffles in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 057 thousand US dollars, showing a modest rise of 2.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports climbed by 64.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 18.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of mushrooms and truffles to Southern Asia by value were the United Arab Emirates, contributing 40.3% of imports, Thailand at 10.6%, and China at 6.2%. Together, they accounted for 57.1% of total import value.

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

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