Prepared mushrooms and truffles market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared mushrooms and truffles in Ireland showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023, with volume declining to 125.1 tons in 2019 before rising steadily to a peak of 276.3 tons in 2022. This expansion was fundamentally driven by evolving consumer preferences, which increasingly favored organic, preservative-free, and environmentally sustainable products. The growth trajectory aligned with broader industry shifts toward sustainable cultivation and cleaner labels.

A central catalyst was the innovation by the major producer Monaghan Mushrooms, which in 2021 became the first in the UK and Ireland to introduce commercial peat-free mushroom cultivation. This move eliminated virgin peat use, directly responding to environmental policy trends and strengthening the appeal of domestic production. Concurrently, EU-level sustainability policies indirectly supported these practices, reinforcing market growth through 2022.

Market volume contracted sharply to 120.6 tons in 2023, a change that coincided with evolving EU trade policies and environmental regulations influencing import flows. Despite this domestic contraction, Ireland consolidated its position as the European Union's second-largest exporter of mushrooms and truffles the same year, underscoring a robust production and export capacity within the country.

Production prepared mushrooms and truffles in Ireland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland held the 25th position globally in the production of prepared mushrooms and truffles.

Top producers of prepared mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Ireland produced 79.6 tonnes of prepared mushrooms and truffles, marking a 3.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 3.7%, with an average annual decrease of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 76.9 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 84.1 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with an 8.5% decrease.

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

Exports prepared mushrooms and truffles from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, followed by a peak in 2019, resulting in a 362-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ireland's exports of prepared mushrooms and truffles amounted to 20.9 tonnes, a 57.3% decrease from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 48.9 tonnes, with the largest increase that year reaching 8 709.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the primary destination for Ireland's prepared mushrooms and truffles exports, accounting for 98.6% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest point was in 2017, with a peak in 2019, showing a 184-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Ireland's prepared mushrooms and truffles exports totaled 40.7 thousand US dollars, a sharp 58.8% contraction compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 98.9 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 3 754.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom and the United States dominated Ireland's prepared mushrooms and truffles exports in value terms, together representing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports prepared mushrooms and truffles to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Ireland's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles increased. In 2020, imports totaled 137.3 tonnes, a sharp 41.3% year-on-year improvement. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.8%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 97.1 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 29.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (40.5% of import volumes), the United Kingdom (27.1%), and Belgium (15.8%) were the main sources for Ireland's prepared mushrooms and truffles imports, together accounting for 83.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ireland's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 499.8 thousand US dollars, an 18.9% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 29.7%, with an average annual increase of 9.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 317.3 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 17.7% and the largest increase in 2019 at 32.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom (35.0% of import value), the Netherlands (20.3%), and Belgium (17.3%) together absorbed 72.6% of Ireland's total prepared mushrooms and truffles imports in value terms, making them the primary sources.

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

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