Prepared mushrooms and truffles market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared mushrooms and truffles in the MENA region showed high volatility from 2018 to 2023. Total consumption peaked at 56 808 tons in 2019, then fell sharply to 43 431 tons in 2020 before recovering to 55 071 tons in 2022. A steep decline followed in 2023, with the market volume dropping to 39 323 tons, the lowest level in the period.

Domestic production grew steadily from 2 244 tons to 3 759 tons over these years, but remained a minor share of total supply. Market movements were primarily driven by import fluctuations, which ranged from a high of 54 592 tons in 2019 down to 37 445 tons in 2023. The two major market contractions in 2020 and 2023 coincided directly with these significant drops in import volumes.

Exports remained low throughout the period and had a negligible effect on net market size. The market's heavy reliance on imported product made overall consumption highly sensitive to shifts in international trade flows, leading to the observed swings in total volume.

Production prepared mushrooms and truffles in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

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

MENA's production of prepared mushrooms and truffles has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 148 tonnes, marking a 5.1% year-on-year increase. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 106.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 27.3%.

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

Exports prepared mushrooms and truffles from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The export market for prepared mushrooms and truffles in MENA experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 601 tonnes, representing a sharp 23.0% drop from the previous year. In contrast, the peak was in 2018 with 3 996 tonnes, creating a 6.7-fold difference between the high and low points. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 80.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 317.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia were the key destinations for exports in volume terms. Russia accounted for 44.5% of exports, Tanzania for 3.2%, and Ethiopia for 2.8%, together making up 50.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms showed volatility over the observed years. In 2020, MENA exported prepared mushrooms and truffles worth 1 987 thousand US dollars, a significant 18.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 414 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2017, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.7 times. The largest decline happened in 2019 at 44.5%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 174.0%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with no single country dominating. Russia held 22.7% of exports, France 7.8%, and Spain 3.9%, collectively accounting for 34.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports prepared mushrooms and truffles to MENA

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, MENA's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles amounted to 40 884 tonnes, a 25.1% decrease from 2019. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 54 592 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 21.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 13.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China and the Netherlands dominated the import market in volume terms, jointly representing 80.8% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

MENA's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 63 956 thousand US dollars, a 7.9% fall from the prior year. The highest value was in 2018 at 70 601 thousand US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for imports in value terms were China, the Netherlands, and Poland, together accounting for 79.1% of total flows.

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

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