Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
383. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which opportunities for the mushroom-producing market remain positive for producers in Ireland notwithstanding Brexit or other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51928/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2020 the farmgate value of the mushroom industry was valued at over €123 million, producing over 69,000 tonnes of mushrooms.
Mushrooms have the highest farmgate value across all the other different sectors of both edible and non-edible horticulture in Ireland. Markets for mushrooms produced in Ireland have remained positive thus far into 2021 and added value has been gained by those mushrooms that have been diverted to retail rather than catering as was the case in 2020.
Consumer appetite for Irish mushrooms continues to remain strong both in Ireland and the UK.
To help mushroom producers maintain their place in the market my Department provides capital investment to this sector through the scheme of investment for the development of the commercial horticulture sector and through the EU-funded Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables.
