Mushrooms and truffles market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Ukrainian market for fresh and chilled mushrooms and truffles experienced consistent growth. The domestic market was saturated in 2018, which limited imports and contributed to low prices, while an estimated 300 farms were active by 2021, primarily cultivating button mushrooms with reported annual production and consumption growth of 8–10%. A developing shortage of cultivation compost in 2021 posed a threat to supply chains, yet the market volume continued to increase, reaching 19 251 tons.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with market volume dropping by over 40% to 10 781 tons and production falling to 12 198 tons. The market then stabilized in 2023 at around 10 748 tons. During this period, factors such as rising demand for year-round cultivation, the development of new segments including exotic mushrooms like shiitake, and the use of agricultural waste as raw material were noted, though the overall market size remained steady.

Legislative changes in 2024 introduced higher fines for the illegal picking of wild mushrooms to protect natural resources. Producers continued adapting to European packaging standards using 3-kg euro containers, and family-run businesses, particularly in the Lviv region, expanded with modern equipment.

Production mushrooms and truffles Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine ranked 25th 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

Ukraine's production of mushrooms and truffles increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 19 450 tonnes, marking a 21.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 29.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 14 780 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports mushrooms and truffles to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

Ukraine's exports of mushrooms and truffles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 128 tonnes, a sharp drop of 34.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 2 147 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 50.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Moldova, Poland, and Romania were the main destinations for Ukraine's mushroom and truffle exports, accounting for 64.7% of total exports in volume. Moldova led with 36.3%, followed by Poland at 17.3%, and Romania at 11.1%.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Ukraine's mushroom and truffle exports reached 4 705 thousand US dollars, an 11.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 19.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 5 830 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 48.1%, while 2019 recorded the largest decline of 27.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Germany, and Moldova were the top buyers of Ukraine's mushrooms and truffles by value, together making up 58.1% of total exports. Poland accounted for 26.7%, Germany for 18.9%, and Moldova for 12.5%.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020

Imports mushrooms and truffles in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. Imports varied significantly, with a 12.7-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Ukraine imported about 5 tonnes of mushrooms and truffles, a 90.2% decrease from 2019. The maximum import volume was in 2019 at 49 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 319.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus was the primary source for Ukraine's mushroom and truffle imports, representing 81.9% of total imports in volume, with the rest coming from other countries.

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

World map of product's imports in Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their highest point in 2019 and their lowest in 2017, with a 21-fold difference. In 2020, imported mushrooms and truffles were valued at 38 thousand US dollars, an 83.1% drop from the previous year. The peak value was in 2019 at 222 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 864.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus and China dominated Ukraine's mushroom and truffle imports by value, together accounting for 81.1% of the total, while the remainder was spread across various other countries.

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

World map of product's imports in Ukraine in value, 2017-2020