The mushroom market is the UK is consistent, if a bit slow at the moment, according to James Meers, Commercial Director at G's Fresh. "I expect it to explode next week, Monday will be a big a day and it will continue for the rest of the week up to Christmas."
He said that the consistency is good and the industry is in a good place just now.
"The cold nights slow growth a bit, but not too much. We have some concerns about the quality of last year's straw, which is not at it's best due to the very wet summer. The compost for next year will not optimal, but there is not really much we can do about it."
Although James sees a big push in the last days before Christmas, he says the first three month of next year will be the peak sales months.
"In January especially people tend to start the healthy eating trend which will see sales increase. I think we have seen the peak of the flexitarian bubble and demand from there is now stable."
Last year the National Trust banned mushrooms from their menus due to environmental concerns over the use of peat in the growing process, but according to James the ban and surrounding publicity hasn't has an impact on sales.
"The industry is doing a lot to reduce and eventually replace the use of peat but it is not fast process. We have to be careful that we don't replace one problem while creating another. There is also the question of how to communicate this to consumers, most whom don't know the connection and would not appreciate a price increase."
These days mushrooms are packed in plastic or pulp trays sealed in flow wrap, this is a great improvement to the old cellophane wrapping. "Some retailers are moving to cardboard trays, while this is a great move environmentally, it does pose challenges for a product like mushroom which carry so much moisture as it can lead to dehydration and again, we have to be careful of the price point. As with peat removal it has to be done at the right pace."
For more information:
James Meers
G's Fresh
Tel: +44 7584 516511
[email protected]
www.gs-fresh.com