Mushroom consumption in Romania is estimated at 1 kg per capita, down 10% in the last year and four times below the EU average of 4 kg per capita a year, according to Eugen Bajenaru, president of the National Association of Mushroom Producers in Romania.

A total of 20,000 tons of mushrooms are produced in Romania annually, with a market value of some EUR 50 million, reports local Mediafax.

According to Bajenaru, the import volume, of about 10% of the market, is almost equal to that of exports, the domestic consumption remaining fixed at about 1 kg per person. However, there are no statistics on consumption of mushrooms picked directly from the forest.

“In Romania, the market focuses on fresh mushrooms found in markets and supermarkets, and we’re referring to them when we speak about consumption,” said   Bajenaru, cited by Mediafax. In Romania, there are about 100 firms specialized in growing mushrooms.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: freeimages.com)