Present Status of Mushroom Cultivation, Consumption and Future Prospects in India (2025–2026)

1. Current Status of Mushroom Cultivation in India

Mushroom cultivation in India has transformed from a small-scale seasonal activity into an emerging agribusiness sector. It is gaining importance because mushrooms can be cultivated using agricultural waste materials and require comparatively less land.

Production Growth

India’s mushroom production has increased significantly in recent years. Recent estimates suggest India produced around 0.336 million tonnes (336,000 tonnes) during 2023–24, almost double compared to 2019–20.
A performance analysis reported mushroom production reaching 351,100 metric tonnes in 2023–24, showing steady growth.

Major Producing States

According to recent data from ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR), states like Bihar, Odisha, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh are major producers.
Bihar reported production above 41,000 tonnes, followed by Odisha (~32,000 tonnes).

Leading Mushroom Types Cultivated

India mainly cultivates:

• White button mushroom (~73%)
• Oyster mushroom (~16%)
• Paddy straw mushroom (~7%)
• Milky mushroom (~3%)

These shares were documented in ICAR publications.

2. Mushroom Consumption Pattern in India

Although production is rising, mushroom consumption in India remains low compared to developed countries.

Per Capita Consumption

Indian per capita mushroom consumption is still below 100 grams per year, which is considered very low.

Reasons for Low Consumption

• Limited awareness in rural areas.
•  Short shelf life and lack of cold chain
  
• Mushrooms not being part of traditional diets in many regions
• Recent market reports highlight post-harvest losses and infrastructure gaps.

3. Mushroom Market Status in India

The mushroom industry is expanding rapidly due to health awareness, vegan diets, and demand for protein-rich foods.

Market Size and Growth Forecast

India mushroom market size was estimated at USD 1.18 billion in 2023.

Expected growth rate: 

CAGR 12.7% from 2024–2030.
Another forecast projects the market reaching USD 2.58 billion by 2030.

4. Role of ICAR and Government Institutions

The ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR), Solan plays a key role in:

• Improved spawn production
• Farmer training programs
• Development of new high-yield varieties
• Promotion of entrepreneurship

Official institute information:

5. Future Prospects and Projects in India

Mushroom cultivation has strong future potential in India because it supports:
✅ Nutritional security
✅ Rural entrepreneurship
✅ Women self-employment
✅ Waste recycling and circular economy

Emerging Trends and Future Projects

-Expansion through Training & KVK Programs. ICAR-KVKs are introducing new mushroom varieties (milky, oyster, seasonal) in rural regions.

Example: Milky mushroom cultivation introduced in Arunachal Pradesh through ICAR-KVK training.

-Mushroom Summits and Start-ups
Urban demand and organized farming are increasing.
Bengaluru and other metro regions are witnessing new mushroom cultivation clusters and industry summits.
- Employment and Youth Entrepreneurship
Many progressive farmers have expanded into large commercial farms generating employment.
Example: National Mushroom Producer Award winner in Punjab operating 15–20 mushroom sheds.
- Key Opportunities for the Future

India has huge scope for future development in:

Value-added products (mushroom powder, pickles, soups)
Cold storage and processing infrastructure
Export potential
Integrated farming models
Climate-smart agriculture
Scientific reviews emphasize India’s rapid transformation from traditional to modern mushroom production systems.

✅ Conclusion

Mushroom cultivation in India is presently in a growth phase, with increasing production and market value. However, consumption remains relatively low, and future expansion depends on awareness, cold-chain infrastructure, farmer training, and value addition.
With government support, ICAR research, and entrepreneurship opportunities, mushroom farming can become a major tool for employment generation and sustainable agriculture, especially in rural and North-East India.

References

1. ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan
2. Status of mushroom production in India (ICAR Journal, 2018)
3. India Mushroom Market Forecast Reports (2023–2030)
4. Production Statistics (2023–24 estimates)
5. Recent ICAR-KVK Projects and News Reports