• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.136-141
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• 2016

The production scale of mushrooms in Korea is approximately 600 billion won, which is 1.6% of Korea's gross agricultural output. In Korea, ca. 190,000 tons of mushrooms are harvested annually. Although the numbers of mushroom farms and cultivators are constantly decreasing, total mushroom yields are increasing owing to large-scale cultivation facilities and automation. The recent expansion of the well-being trend has caused an increase in mushroom consumption in Korea: the annual per capita mushroom was 3.9 kg ('13), whichis a little higher than that in Europe. Thus, mushroom export, mainly Flammulina velutipes and Pleurotus ostreatus, has increased since the mid-2000s. Recently, however, it is slightly reduced. Nevertheless, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the United States, and the Netherlands continue to export mushrooms, and Korea has increased its export to Australia, Canada, Southeast Asia, etc. Canned Agaricus bisporus, the first export of the Korean mushroom industry, reached it speak sales in 1977-1978. When Korea initiated trade with China in 1980, the international prices of mushrooms fell sharply, leading to shrinkage of the domestic markets. Spurred by the high demand to develop substitute goods for A. bisporus, the oyster mushroom (P. ostreatus) gained attention since it seemed to suit the taste of Korean consumers. Although the log cultivation technique for oyster mushroom was developed in the early 1970s, it required a great deal of labor. Thus, we developed the shelf cultivation technique, which is easier to manage and allows for mass production. In this technique, the growing shelf is made mafrom fermented rice straw, whichis the only P. ostreatus medium in the world and isused only in South Korea. After then, the use of cotton wastes as an additional material of medium, the productivity. Currently, we are developing a standard cultivation technique and environmental control system that can stably produce mushrooms throughout the year. The increase of oyster mushroom production may boostthe domestic market and contribute to industrial development. In addition, oyster mushroom production technology played a role in forming the basis for the development of bottle cultivation, which made mass production. In particular, bottle cultivation using liquid spawn could allow for the export of F. velutipes and Pleurotus eryngii. In addition, the white varieties of F. velutipes were second developed in the world after Japan. We also developed the new A. bisporus cultivar 'Saeah', which is easy to grow in Korea. In hopes to advance the mushroom industry, we will continue to develop cultivars with international competitive power and to improve cultivation techniques.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2023

Purpose: The integrated export organization for agricultural products is an export marketing organization established by joint participation of famers, farmer organizations, and exporters. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting the intention of farmers to participate in integrated export organizations. Research design, data and methodology: The multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting intention of pear and mushroom farms to participate in the integrated export organizations. Results: It is shown that the lower farm age, the higher the need for consolidation of export companies, and the lower the government support for the integrated export organizations, the higher the willingness to participate in integrated export organizations. However, export experience, export scale, awareness level of integrated export organizations, and check price level did not significantly affect the intention to participate in integrated export organizations. Conclusions: It is desirable to promote export organizations of agricultural products among relatively young farmers and to reform their consciousness through emphasizing education for them. In addition, integrated export organizations should avoid disorderly competition by consolidating export companies. Lastly, governmental policies should be pursued in a direction that enables farmers and export companies to strengthen their competitiveness on their own.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2014.05a
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• pp.13-13
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• 2014

Two kinds of mushrooms, Gumji (金芝; Ganoderma) and Soji, were described in old book of Samguksagi (History of the three kingdoms; B.C 57~A.D 668; written by Bu Sik Kim in 1145) in Korea-dynasty. Many kinds of mushrooms were also described in more than 17 kinds of old books during Chosun-dynasty (1392~1910) in Korea. Nowadays, mushroom cultivation has been increased through out the world last decade years. Production of mushrooms has also been increased 10-20% and many varieties have been cultivated. Similar trends were also observed in Korea. Approximately two hundred commercial strains of 37 species in mushrooms were developed and distributed to cultivators. Somatic hybrid variety of oyster mushroom 'Wonhyeong-neutari' were developed by protoplast fusion, and distributed to grower in 1989. The fruiting body yield index of somatic hybrids of Pleurotus ranged between 27 and 155 compared to parental values of 100 and 138. In addition, more diverse mushroom varieties such as Phellinus baumi, Auricularia spp., Pleurotus ferulae, Hericium erinaceus, Hypsizigus marmoreus, Grifola frondosa, Agrocybe aegerita and Pleurotus cornucopiae have been attempted to cultivate in small scale cultivation. Production of mushrooms as food was 190,111 metric tons valued at 800 billion Korean Won (one trillion won if include mushroom factory products; 1dollar = 1,040 Won) in 2011. Major cultivated species are Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus eryngii, Flammulina velutipes, Lentinula edodes, Agaricus bisporus, and Ganoderma lucidum, which cover 90% of total production. Since mushroom export was initiated from 1960 to 1980, the export and import of mushrooms have been increased in Korea. Technology developed for liquid spawn production and automatic cultivation systems lead to the reduction of the production cost resulting in the increasement of mushroom export. However some species were imported because of high production cost for these mushrooms requiring the effective cultivation methods. Developing of effective post-harvest system will be also directly related to mushroom export. In academic area, RDA scientists have been conducting mushroom genome projects. One of the main results is the whole genome sequencing of Flammulina velutipes for molecular breeding. An electrophoretic karyotype of of F. velutipes was obtained using CHEF with 7 chromosomes, with a total genome size of approximately 26.7 Mb. The mususcript of the genome of F. velutipes was published in PLOS ONE this year. For medicinal mushrooms, we have been conducting the genome research on Cordyceps and its related species for developing functional foods using this mushroom. In 2013, Korea Food and Drug Administraion (KFDA) approved Cordyceps mushroom for its value as an immune booster.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.258-262
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• 2022

Pleurotus species are the most consumed and cultivated mushrooms in Korea. Although oyster mushrooms (P. ostreatus) can be cultivated automatically, their storability is slightly lower than that of king oyster mushrooms (P. eryngii) and winter mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes); therefore, the export proportion of oyster mushrooms is very low. Since Korean mushrooms are highly preferred across Southeast Asian, the export of oyster mushrooms in the form of complete substrates is expected to be more promising than that of fresh mushroom. Here, 1 and 2.5 kg complete substrates of P. ostreatus 'Soltari' and P. sajor-caju 'Sambok' were prepared and stored at different temperature from 0 to 15℃ for 10 days. Thereafter, the formation of fruiting bodies was induced. Since the 2.5 kg complete substrates required 70 days of incubation, their mycelia were at an advanced age and their fruiting bodies did not grown normally. When 70%-incubated complete substrates were stored at 5-10℃, the growth was faster and more uniform and stable fruiting bodies were formed. Export test of complete substrates to Vietnam using distribution containers set at 0℃ and 15℃ revealed that the growth period was shortened by 1-2 days when the distribution containers were set at 15℃ and the yield of 'Soltari' increased by approximately 10%. In addition, even though the yield of 'Sambok' was similar between treatments at 0℃ and 15℃, the quality of fruiting bodies from 15℃-distributed complete substrates was much better than that of those from 0℃-distributed substrates.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 2020

The trade deficit in mushrooms has continued to increase in recent years. This study explored major issues and challenges faced by the mushroom industry to increase export, and to prioritize the current issues and challenges based on their relative importance. 11 major issues and challenges in the mushroom industry were highlighted in focus group interviews. Best-worst scaling analysis prioritized these major issues and challenges, and questionnaire surveys were completed by 31 mushroom industry experts. The results revealed that strengthening the mushroom quality and price competitiveness were the main priorities, followed sequentially by a diversification of the overseas export markets and stabilization of the domestic mushroom price.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.215-223
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• 2012

This study was aimed to find factors responsible for export potential of oyster mushroom through postharvest treatments including high pressure $CO_2$ and anti-moisture pad. Temperature fluctuation during export simulation induced the condensation of excess moisture resulting in the quality loss due to browning and decay. Anti-moisture pad was effective on inhibition of browning occurrence in part. High temperature exposure ($15^{\circ}C$) as retail simulation greatly offset the positive effect of anti-moisture pad. Short term treatment of high pressure $CO_2$ delayed the surface color changes as hunter L, a, and b values. There was no consistent tendency in total sugar and phenolics between treatments. In general, the export potential of small size mush-room (export size) at harvest was higher than large ones (domestic size). The major factors asso-ciated with the quality decrease of oyster mushroom during export were moisture condensation in packages and temperature fluctuation. Further research is required to improve mushroom export procedures.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.142-154
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• 2016

Worldwide production of mushrooms has been increasing by 10-20% every year. Recently, Pleurotus eryngii and P. nebrodensis have become popular mushroom species for cultivation. In particular, China exceeded 8.7 million tons in 2002, which accounted for 71.5% of total world output. A similar trend was also observed in Korea. Two kinds of mushrooms-Gumji (金芝; Ganoderma) and Seoji-are described in the ancient book 'Samguksagi' (History of the three kingdoms; B.C 57~A.D 668; written by Bu Sik Kim in 1145) during the Korea-dynasty. Many kinds of mushrooms are also described in more than 17 ancient books during the Chosun-dynasty (1392~1910) in Korea. Approximately 200 commercial strains of 38 species of mushrooms were developed and distributed to cultivators. The somatic hybrid variety of oyster mushroom, 'Wonhyeong-neutari,' was developed by protoplast fusion, and distributed to growers in 1989. Further, the production of mushrooms as food was 199,829 metric tons, valued at 850 billion Korean Won (one trillion won if mushroom factory products are included) in 2015. In Korea, the major cultivated species are P. ostreatus, P. eryngii, Flammulina velutipes, Lentinula edodes, Agaricus bisporus, and Ganoderma lucidum, which account for 90% of the total production. Since mushroom export was initiated in 1960, the export and import of mushrooms have increased in Korea. Technology was developed for liquid spawn production, and automatic cultivation systems led to the reduction of production cost, resulting in the increase in mushroom export. However, some species were imported owing to high production costs for effective cultivation methods. In academia, RDA scientists have conducted mushroom genome projects since 1997. One of the main outcomes is the whole genome sequencing of Flammulina velutipes for molecular breeding. With regard to medicinal mushrooms, we have been conducting genome research on Cordyceps and its related species for developing functional foods. There are various kinds of beneficial substances in mushrooms; mushroom products, including pharmaceuticals, tonics, healthy beverages, functional biotransformants, and processed foods have also became available on the market. In addition, compost and feed can likewise be made from mushroom substrates after harvest.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.199-202
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to address a current mushroom export situation in Gyeongbuk area for establishing exports strategy, and policy of mushrooms export. Mushroom industry has made a rapid growth over the past 20 years in Korea. Gyeongbuk province exports volume of enoki and king oyster mushrooms account for about half of the country, enoki and total exports in 2009, and 81%, increased to 14% in 2010 and 2010, the maximum exports (9,415 tons) and the maximum exports (14,840 grand)was recorded. But, enoki and total exports in 2011, and -15%, decreased to -19% in 2012, and increased to 32% in 2013, 1% in 2014. King oyster mushroom to represent the Netherlands in Europe, exports were higher exports to China is negligible. In the case of China in 2001, 5 spots automated mushroom factory, production, but only 8,000 tons in 2011, 652 mushroom factory, production of 1,100,000 tons and in 2012, 788 mushroom factory, production of 1,520,000 tons quickly grew.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.27-27
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• 2018

The production scale of mushroom cultivation in Korea is approximately 600 billion won, which is 1.6% of the Korean gross agricultural output. Annually, ca. 190,000 tons of mushrooms are harvested in Korea. Although the numbers of mushroom farms and cultivators are constantly decreasing, the total mushroom yields are increasing due to the large-scale cultivation facilities and automation. The recent expansion of the well-being trend causes increase in mushroom consumption in Korea: annual per capita consumption of mushroom was 3.9kg ('13) that is a little higher than European's average. Thus the exports of mushrooms, mainly Flammulina velutipes and Pleurotus ostreatus, have been increased since the middle of 2000s. Recently, however, it is slightly reduced. However, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the United States, the Netherlands and continued to export, and the country has increased recently been exported to Australia, Canada, Southeast Asia and so on. Canned foods of Agaricus bisporus was the first exports of the Korean mushroom industry. This business has reached the peak of the sale in 1977-1978. As Korea initiated trade with China in 1980, the international prices of mushrooms were sharply fall that led to shrink the domestic markets. According to the high demand to develop new items to substitute for A. bisporus, oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) was received the attention since it seems to suit the taste of Korean consumers. Although log cultivation technique was developed in the early 1970s for oyster mushroom, this method requires a great deal of labor. Thus we developed shelf cultivation technique which is easier to manage and allows the mass production. In this technique, the growing shelf is manly made from fermented rice straw, that is the unique P. ostreatus medium in the world, was used only in South Korea. After then, the use of cotton wastes as an additional material of medium, the productivity. Currently it is developing a standard cultivation techniques and environmental control system that can stably produce mushrooms throughout the year. The increase of oyster mushroom production may activate the domestic market and contribute to the industrial development. In addition, oyster mushroom production technology has a role in forming the basis of the development of bottle cultivation. Developed mushroom cultivation technology using bottles made possible the mass production. In particular, bottle cultivation method using a liquid spawn can be an opportunity to export the F.velutipes and P.eryngii. In addition, the white varieties of F.velutipes were second developed in the world after Japan. We also developed the new A.bisporus cultivar "Sae-ah" that is easy to grown in Korea. To lead the mushroom industry, we will continue to develop the cultivars with an international competitive power and to improve the cultivation techniques. Mushroom research in Korea nowadays focuses on analysis of mushroom genetics in combination with development of new mushroom varieties, mushroom physiology and cultivation. Further studied are environmental factors for cultivation, disease control, development and utilization of mushroom substrate resources, post-harvest management and improvement of marketable traits. Finally, the RDA manages the collection, classification, identification and preservation of mushroom resources. To keep up with the increasing application of biotechnology in agricultural research the genome project of various mushrooms and the draft of the genetic map has just been completed. A broad range of future studies based on this project is anticipated. The mushroom industry in Korea continually grows and its productivity rapidly increases through the development of new mushrooms cultivars and automated plastic bottle cultivation. Consumption of medicinal mushrooms like Ganoderma lucidum and Phellinus linteus is also increasing strongly. Recently, business of edible and medicinal mushrooms was suffering under over-production and problems in distribution. Fortunately, expansion of the mushroom export helped ease the negative effects for the mushroom industry.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

This study addresses the current demand of the Korean mushroom export industry to establish an export strategy and governing policies.The enoki mushroom exports increased by 89% in 2009 and 23% in 2010, resulting in the largest export volume (17,163 tons) and export value ($26,292,000) being recorded in 2010. In contrast, exports in 2020 yielded only $18,525,000, which was 29% lower than that in 2010. In case of king oyster mushrooms, exports increased by 10% in 2012, 13% in 2013, and 2% in 2014, maintaining a moderate-growth trend. Moreover, Korea's mushroom exports are focused on a few specific countries. Enoki mushrooms accounted for more than 50% of the total exports to North America and Vietnam from 2012 to 2022, whereas king oyster mushrooms accounted for more than 50% of the total exports to Europe and North America (USA and Canada) from 2009 to 2022. Another characteristic trend in Korean mushroom exports is the diversification of export markets. The number of countries importing enoki mushrooms and king oyster mushrooms from Korea is increasing.