Europe Mushroom Market

Europe Mushroom Market Size

The mushroom market size in Europe was valued at USD 19.6 billion in 2023. The European market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.23% from 2024 to 2029 and be valued at USD 43.38 billion by 2032 from USD 21.42 billion in 2024.

The mushroom is a fleshy, spore-bearing, fruiting body of fungus produced above ground or on the soil. Mushrooms are widely used due to their medicinal properties and superfood benefits. As the mushrooms are high in protein and low in calories, these are great options for people lacking protein. Mushroom also consists of multiple vitamins and essential minerals. Mushrooms are widely used for medicinal purposes in pharmaceuticals and edible purposes in the food industry.

MARKET DRIVERS

The increasing awareness among the European people regarding the benefits of the mushroom is increasing the adoption across the region, contributing primarily to the European mushroom market. The growing market trend of superfoods is raising people's expectations of mushrooms as they are considered superfoods due to their health benefits, fueling regional market revenue. The increasing health concerns due to adopting a sedentary lifestyle, especially in urban areas, raise consumer preference towards healthy food, propelling the adoption of mushrooms in their diet. The pandemic has influenced people to seek functional and enriched foods to increase their immunity levels, positively impacting the mushroom market in Europe. Increasing mushroom penetration in the cosmetic industry is expected to drive the European mushroom market due to the skin-enhancing benefits of the mushroom, propelling the European mushroom market growth. Mushrooms are filled with antioxidants, polyphenols, and polysaccharides. The antioxidant properties of the mushrooms are accelerating their adoption in skin formulations. Mushroom species like shiitake are rich in kojic acid, brightening dull skin and reducing dark spots, enhancing European market expansion. The growing incorporation of medicinal mushrooms in functional foods, dietary supplements, and nutraceuticals is gaining traction among Europeans. Various mushroom products like powders, capsules, and teas are becoming popular among health-conscious consumers, enhancing regional market share growth. Mushrooms have wide pharmaceutical applications due to their antitumor, hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunosuppressive properties, escalating the market value in Europe.

The increasing demand for plant-based protein sources due to the emerging trend of vegetarianism in Europe is inducing the demand for mushrooms, leading to an increase in market size. Moreover, the rising interest in locally sourced and organically produced mushrooms among the European population is augmenting the market value. The critical ingredients packed in the mushroom are selenium, vitamin D, glutathione, and ergothioneine, which help prevent and treat disease conditions and drive the regional market.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

The availability of various other strong protein sources is expected to hamper the mushroom market in Europe. Few mushrooms are estimated to cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea on consumption due to the presence of different toxins that irritate the digestive system. These effects hinder the adoption of mushrooms by reducing the market revenue across Europe. High costs associated with the mushrooms and related products are limiting the adoption. It is expected to be difficult for low-income people to invest in these products, which impedes the European market revenue.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

The escalating technological advancements in the mushroom industry are enhancing the development of innovations in the cultivation, production, and utilization of mushroom natural qualities, which are expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the mushroom market during the forecast period. The increasing number of government and public organization programs related to a healthy diet is estimated to raise the demand for mushrooms across the European population. The rising demand for cosmetic and pharmaceutical products derived from natural and organic sources will induce market growth opportunities in the coming years. The increasing demand for mushroom products in the bioremediation process to absorb and break down pollutants such as hydrocarbons and heavy metals, converting them to less harmful substances, is catalyzing the expansion of the European market.

MARKET CHALLENGES

The increasing hurdles in the cultivation process, the availability of low-quality products, and contaminated products are significant challenges for the European mushroom market's growth. High operational costs in cultivation restrain the market growth in the European region. The limited awareness among the people of low-economic areas and their understanding levels regarding the benefits of mushrooms are expected to limit the market expansion.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

The pandemic had a mixed impact on the Europe mushroom market as the early stages of COVID-19 led to stringent lockdowns, which impacted the market by creating disruptions in the supply chain, distribution, and production delays. The cultivation of mushrooms during COVID-19 has faced various challenges due to a lack of workforce. However, the late stage of the pandemic increased the demand for healthy foods that boost immunity, influencing the rise in the mushroom market in Europe.

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

By Type Insights

The button mushroom segment dominated the European market with the largest market share in 2023 and is anticipated to have a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Button mushrooms are widely cultivated to meet the high demand among Europeans due to their nutritional benefits, low incubation time, and low cost of cultivation, which drive the segment's growth in the region.

The shiitake mushroom segment is gaining traction across Europe due to its taste and health benefits, and it is expected to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period. Shiitake mushrooms are a part of traditional medicine in various countries, and their consumption is expected to boost health and immunity.

The oyster mushroom segment is estimated to grow steadily over the forecast period in the European region due to its antibacterial properties. Oysters contain benzaldehyde, the active compound that fights against the human body's bacteria.

By Form Insights

The fresh mushrooms segment dominated the European market with a significant share of 89.6% in 2023. The increasing demand for healthy food products compared to processed foods is majorly driving the segment growth in the region. The increasing awareness among people regarding preservative-free foods and the rising demand for organic and unprocessed food are fueling the adoption of fresh mushrooms and accelerating the European mushroom market expansion.

The processed mushrooms segment is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period as the additional process involves canned, frozen, and dried forms of mushrooms to increase the shelf-life of the mushrooms. The increasing use of powdered form and extracts of mushrooms significantly in the food and cosmetic industry is expected to drive the European market in the upcoming years.

By Distribution Channel Insights

The hypermarkets and supermarkets segment held the largest market share, with 41.2% revenue in 2023 in the European market. Most people in urban areas prefer supermarkets because various products in the same place boost segment growth. The increasing penetration of supermarkets and hypermarkets in developing areas contributes to the regional market through this distribution channel.

The online stores segment is estimated to grow at the fastest rate with a significant CAGR during the forecast period due to the rising adoption of digital shopping among people. The ease of availability, price benefits, accessibility to a wide range of quality products, and convenience of delivery are all augmenting the adoption of online stores, leading to segment growth.

By End-Use Insights

The food industry dominated the European mushroom market, with the most significant share of 87.3% in 2023. Adopting fresh and processed mushroom products in households and other food services drives the European market revenue. The low-calorie count, low cholesterol, and nutrients like vitamins, minerals, proteins, and selenium are rising. In terms of health, the consumption of mushrooms propels the European market in the food and beverage industry.

The growing innovations by the research sectors in acknowledging the medicinal benefits of mushrooms are accelerating the demand for mushrooms in the pharmaceutical industry, raising market revenue in Europe.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Europe accounted for a promising share of the worldwide market in 2023 and is expected to showcase prominent growth during the forecast period. Germany dominated the European mushroom market with the largest share as Germany is considered the organic food hub across the European countries. The increasing vegan population across the United Kingdom is driving the market in the region with a prominent share. According to a survey conducted by Vegan Society, the vegan population in the UK has surged by 360% over the past decade, resulting in more than 500,000 individuals embracing a vegan diet, augmenting the mushroom market in Europe. The advanced healthcare system and pharmaceuticals in countries like Germany, the UK, and France are expected to enhance the mushroom market growth due to their wide applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Spain and Italy are projected to have prominent market growth over the forecast period due to increasing health concerns among the population, leading to the adoption of mushrooms in diet and nutraceuticals.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS

Companies playing a major role in the Europe mushroom market include Monaghan Mushrooms Group, Banken Champignons, Smithy Mushrooms, Maesyffin Mushrooms, Hughes Mushrooms Ltd., Monalisa SpA, Flemming Dreisig, Scelta Mushrooms BV and BioFungi GmbH.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THIS MARKET

• In October 2021, Aloha Medicinals partnered with Prenexus Health, a leading manufacturer of organic prebiotic ingredients for supplements, to introduce a novel mushroom-based prebiotic into the market.
• In October 2021, Big Mountain Foods, a Vancouver-based food manufacturer, announced its partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market, a leader in gut-healthy foods, to launch the first Lion's Mane mushroom product.
• In October 2021, Pilze Wohlrab GmbH launched syrup called chaga health at pilze wohlrab. It consists of a healthy elixir of medicinal mushroom C, an immunity booster.

MARKET SEGMENTATION

This research report on the European mushroom market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on the following categories.

By Type

• Reishi Mushroom
• Shiitake Mushroom
• Button Mushroom
• Oyster Mushroom
• Portobello Mushroom
• Others

By Form

• Fresh Mushrooms
• Processed Mushrooms
• Canned Mushrooms
• Dried Mushrooms
• Frozen Mushrooms

By Distribution Channel

• Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
• Speciality Stores
• Online Stores
• Others

By End-Use

• Food and Beverages Industry
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Cosmetics

By Country

• UK
• France
• Spain
• Germany
• Italy
• Russia
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Switzerland
• Netherlands
• Turkey
• Czech Republic
• Rest of Europe