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Mr Liu zi qiang, the medi- ator of the Workshop Simone van Trier and Ms Rachelle (r).


viewed as something ‘special’. 3. The popularity of processed mushrooms also continues unabated, thanks to their long keepability and investments of local com- panies in the processing of wild mushrooms. The branch numbers just three large mushroom growing companies that account for 71% of produc- tion, with the remainder being produced by 19 other companies. Why so few? Firstly, there is only one composter, and the price of compost is high (247 euro/ ton phase III). The company produces 500 tons of phase III each month, in bulk and blocks. Secondly, mushroom farms are not well equipped. This creates a vicious circle, and the expected rise in production for 2013 is just 5%. A third reason is that potential investors are unfamiliar with the industry and often set their sights on a return of 15-20%. And interest rates of 18 to 22% make it very problematic for growers to invest. Getting subsidies granted is difficult and using them is not par- ticularly attractive. And finally, there are too few foreign investors – just one from Latvia and one from Turkey. Despite this, there are opportunities in Russia says Khrenov, as production costs are considerably lower than in Poland (1.4 euro compared with 1.8 euro/kg). The Russian Mushroom School is attempting to boost the sector in ways which include organising the annual Mushroom Cruise. Khrenov also gave an overview of the situation in neighbouring Ukraine, which has a similar history of cultivation and consumption as Russia. Production has doubled in ten years’ time and has reached 55,000 tons of agaricus (2012); the total consumption of cultivated mushrooms is 1.5 kg per capita. The price, however, has fallen from 2 euro/kg in 2003 to 1.5 euro in 2013. There is certainly potential, but the way the sector is organised and the general economic situation are bad. “Ukraine dreams of exporting to Russia, but the quality is poor and the price is too high. The national market is saturated, and there is only growth potential for processed mushrooms, provided they get the right market support. A highly desirable move would be to completely modernise the sector.” The Polish composting concern Mykogen has inve- sted in a large composting plant that holds 50% of the market share of phase II in Ukraine. “As far as the Dutch influence goes; Ukraine and the Netherlands are not ‘in a relationship’, there is no good mutual communication. A lot has to be invested in forging good bonds”, says Khrenov.


Raw materials Geert Lemmers from Sylvan Nederland (shortly to be Lambert Spawn Europa) outlined the raw material si- tuation in Europe. He first explained the importance of the components and structure of straw, as these two ele- ments determine the potential of this vital raw material. “Many factors that impact on the structure are beyond our sphere of inference. Harvesting and storage can be influenced to a lesser extent, but how the material is handled at the compositing facility is well managed. So investing in machines that can process straw properly


is important.” The availability of straw is under some pressure as ethanol starts emerging as a fuel, some- thing that is stimulated by the EU. The availability of chicken manure is not a problem. In the spawn sector, a lot is being invested in the quality and consistency of the product. “The trends apparent here include using sporeless oyster mushroom spawn, and non-grain media as carriers. Less spawn is also being used per ton of compost. A new development is creating breeders’ rights in the EU and the USA. The genome of Agaricus has been completely mapped, which should encourage the development of spawn. Faster carriers are also being worked on, that also have less sensitivity to Trichoderma. Supplements contain less soya but more rapeseed/ canola. The price is higher because of competition with biofuels. A new development is that supplements contain less protein and more carbon, and that produ- cers tailor the products better to suit specific customer needs. The supply, quality and certification of casing soil are generally well regulated. Lemmers is optimistic about the quality and availability of the raw materials. “These matters are well regulated and the mushroom output per ton of raw material is rising.”


Limgroup Maikel Aveskamp introduced the Limgroup in Horst. The company specialises in improving mushroom cultures and developing new varieties. Limgroup is the world’s largest producer of asparagus seed, and was founded in1994 as Asparagus B.V. In 2009 soft fruit and mushrooms were added to its portfolio of activities. The name was changed into Limgroup in 2012. The company employs a total of 70 people. The mushroom division includes a farm with seven growing rooms of 15.5 m2, two of 68 m2 and a laboratory. There is space to add another six. Limgroup is working on developing varieties, storage, small-scale (five-seven kg/week) spawn production and laboratory scale trials. Aveskamp explained about spore formation and developing mushroom varieties. Notably, the genetic variation between the commer- cial varieties is very limited. There is a huge similarity regarding the chromosomes and since the introduction of the U1 no new genes have been brought onto the market. The variations there are occurred more or less by coincidence, or are the result of natural mutation.


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