Mushrooms and truffles market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The physical volume of the mushrooms and truffles market in the Netherlands contracted from over 240 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 167 thousand tonnes in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by sustained pressure on producers from low prices and high labor costs, which squeezed margins and reduced the number of farming operations. The sector's persistent labor shortages, highlighted in 2020, further constrained production capacity.

Despite the volume contraction, the market value showed fluctuations, peaking at 779 million US dollars in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumption from foodservice to retail, as consumers cooked more at home, supporting demand. Changing consumer preferences simultaneously boosted interest in specialty varieties, such as Asian mushrooms like shiitake and enoki, and later the rapid rise of the Orange Oyster mushroom in 2021. The growing popularity of truffles, aided by improved detection methods and training of truffle dogs, added a premium segment to the market.

Throughout the period, the industry responded by investing in scale enlargement and sustainable circular agriculture to improve efficiency. However, regulatory adjustments and cost pressures continued to pose challenges. By 2024, focus areas included enhanced storage and packaging techniques to maintain product quality and exploring potential in the growing fresh pet food sector.

Production mushrooms and truffles in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands ranked fourth globally in the production of mushrooms and truffles.

Top producers of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

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

The Netherlands experienced a second consecutive year of decline in mushroom and truffle production volumes. In 2020, production reached 260.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production fell by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, at 10.0%, while 2018 saw minimal change with a 0.0% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Mushroom and truffle production in the Netherlands declined for the second year in a row in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 817.0 million US dollars, showing little change year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 4.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -1.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 916.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 10.4% in 2019 and the largest increase of 7.6% also in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports mushrooms and truffles from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, mushroom and truffle exports from the Netherlands increased in 2020. The country exported 77 833 tonnes, up 1.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.1%, translating to an annualized rate of -5.7%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 77 099 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 14.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom were the top destinations for Dutch mushroom and truffle exports by volume. Germany accounted for 29.4% of exports, Belgium for 23.8%, and the United Kingdom for 16.5%, together making up 69.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of mushroom and truffle exports from the Netherlands reached 244.6 million US dollars, a 4.4% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 234.4 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 275.6 million US dollars. The largest decline of 15.0% occurred in 2019, and the largest increase of 4.6% was in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom consistently led as the top destinations for Dutch mushroom and truffle exports by value. Germany held 32.0% of export value, Belgium 19.2%, and the United Kingdom 14.7%, collectively representing 65.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020

Imports mushrooms and truffles to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

The Netherlands imported 44 198 tonnes of mushrooms and truffles in 2020, a significant increase of 57.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 52.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 28 030 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Poland, and Germany were the primary sources for mushroom and truffle imports by volume into the Netherlands. Belgium accounted for 33.8% of imports, Poland for 24.6%, and Germany for 19.4%, together comprising 77.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the Netherlands imported approximately 88.8 million US dollars worth of mushrooms and truffles, a modest increase of 6.5% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 83.4 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 99.4 million US dollars. The largest decline of 16.1% occurred in 2019, and the largest increase of 13.8% was in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Poland consistently ranked as the top sources for mushroom and truffle imports by value into the Netherlands. Belgium represented 23.3% of import value, Germany 21.5%, and Poland 19.2%, jointly accounting for 64.0% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020