Functional Mushroom Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)

There has been a considerable shift in the lifestyles and diet habits of people over the past two decades. Urbanization and consumerism drove this shift, leading to a rapid rise in the consumption of synthetic food products, resulting in an increased incidence of lifestyle diseases. Thus, people are becoming aware of these problems. As a result, people are gradually moving toward functional foods and beverages that are promoted as being beneficial beyond basic nutrition. These products are purported to provide optimal nutrition and reduce the risk of disease occurrence. Functional foods are gaining high popularity among health-conscious consumers. During the forecasted period, the demand for medicinal mushrooms is expected to increase significantly, as these mushrooms are being incorporated in various functional food and beverages. For instance, reishi, chaga, and Turkey tails are added with coffee and cocoa. Turkey tails are mild enough to be added to soups and broths as well. Maitake and Shiitake are delicious, simply sautéed with garlic

In the Asian region, China is the largest producer of mushrooms, globally. The country engages in the production of mushrooms and truffles to meet the large external and internal market demands. With the growing income levels of urban and rural Chinese consumers and with the transformation of comprehensive health awareness and consumption concept, consumers across the market are placing more importance on safety, nutrition, and consumption of healthy food with certain medical benefits. The rapid development of the catering industry stimulates the growth of mushrooms in the respective market. Catering channels are one of the crucial channels for mushroom marketing where the staff is continuously working to ensure the standard on food safety, strengthening the consciousness on raw materials’ safety, and environmental protection. techniques of medicinal mushroom and increasing demand for exotic mushroom varieties, the market for functional mushrooms in the region is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years