UK Mushrooms
8th March 2021
Michal Slawski, Sector Manager Horticulture, Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board
Recent retail figures from Kantar illustrate the effect that the Covid pandemic has had on the mushroom category in the UK. Sales increased all though 2020 to an alll time high, and show no signs of abating. Closed cup, portobellos and brown mushrooms all grew at over 20% by volume over the year. The major factor driving this growth ( where sales are up 17% on year on year in the 52 weeks to the 21st of February) is the increasing amount of home cooking that is taking place in the UK. There have been lockdowns which have helped drive growth, but the level of working from home has stayed high out of lock down as well.
Mushroooms are purchased for their taste, their versaltility and health benefits, ans all of these attibutes have helped drive their sales. They are one of only a few vegetables that can be eaten at Breakfast, lunch and dinner for instance. Consumers are choosing them because they are a healthy ingredient for their meals. They are a natural source of B Vitamins and minerals, and specially treated msurooms can be a source of Vitamin D as well. This is an unique attribute, as they are the only vegetable source of vitamin D, a vitamin which has risen in prominence recently due to research showing positive impacs in preventing and lessening the effects of Covid 19
Over 80% of Irish mushroom production is destined for the UK, and the industry has seen changes in the trading arrangements with the UK since the start of the year due to Brexit. However, the industry was well prepared for the changes and had in place prodcedures to deal with customs and logistical issues, and to date, the industry has been able to navigate all the changes sucessfully.