Mushroom Market in Malaysia

Abstract

Mushrooms are contemporarily considered an industrial crop. Approximately 20 varieties of mushrooms are cultivated in Malaysia. However, the varieties commercially cultivated include white and grey oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), abalone (Pleurotus cystidiosus) , Ling zhi (Ganoderma lucidum), button (Agaricus bisporus), shiitake (Lentinus edodes), wood ear (Auricularia polytricha), golden straw (Flammulina velutipes), straw (Volvariella volvacea), monkey head (Hericium erinaceus), king oyster (Pleurotus eryngii) and tiger milk (Lignosus rhinocerus) mushrooms. Among these, grey oyster mushroom is cultivated on a mass scale and occupies a dominant position in the market. The main challenge faced by the Malaysian mushroom industry is to keep up with the production or cultivation due to increasing market demand despite advancement of technology and the need to counter the expensive cost of production. The tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus), a mushroom of Malaysian origin, has of late run into fierce competition in the market due to its increasing demand. Highly skilled personnel required by the industry to improve the cultivation yield and successfully control the pests such as mould and insects pose a stiff challenge. The logistics of marketing play an important role in making the industry thrive. Planning adequate waste management by utilising the spent mushroom spawn is also a major consideration in the industry.