Growing mushrooms could be a great way of contributing to this industry. 

However, dr. Susan Koch, a member of the South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association, says dedication is imperative in the production of mushrooms. 

She was one of the speakers at an online mushroom masterclass.

ALSO READ: Many ways to be part of the mushroom industry

“Mushroom [farming] is not like a maize plant [where] you can plant it and forget about it, and hope it rains…

“Mushroom production is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the month, throughout the year. So, you must absolutely have the dedication to grow mushrooms.”

When it comes to the South African market, Koch shared mushrooms have to be available on a constant basis, ready for consumers to buy. She warned against lagging and inconsistent supply, as consumers will not return and find other suppliers.

“Your whole business has to be designed so that you can have constant production. Otherwise, they [will] forget about you, and because you don’t supply, they won’t come to you as a customer.”

Growing mushrooms

Quality substrate mixtures are according to Koch one of the essential components of growing mushrooms.

She advised farmers to decide what pasteurisation process they would be using. One option is hot water pasteurisation, “where you take your substrate up to 70°C, [which] you can do in one of these big tri-pot black pots …”

Along with quality substrate, you need quality spawn too. Spawn should be transported and kept on the premises at a temperature of 2 - 4°C.

Farmers should also decide on the growth method. Koch explained that in some parts of the world, growth bags are used. In China and America, plastic bottles are used extensively to grow mushrooms.

Start-up and exports

The owner and managing director of Mushroom Guru, Craig Fourie, who was also a speaker during the masterclass, said one does not need much money to start growing mushrooms.

He shared South Africa produces about 21 000 tonnes of mushrooms per year which are mostly exported to countries such as Mauritius and Namibia.

According to Peter Nyathi, managing director of Tropical Mushrooms, the total sales of fresh mushrooms reach just under R1 billion each year. 

The South African mushroom industry is growing at a fast pace because one can start growing mushrooms for very little money, added Fourie.

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