Problems and improvement scheme for mushroom-industry

버섯산업의 과제와 발전방향

The supply and demand of mushrooms has increased dramatically as the standard of living has increased and the nutritional and medical value of the mushrooms has been discovered. However, in meeting the demand, the profitability of the mushroom is being reduced. Even though there are many different types of and uses for mushrooms, the overall output production for the last ten years has consistently increased 5.9% per year, and for the last five years('00~'04) 5.2 % per year, and for the last 3 years('02~'04) 2.9% per year- the rate of increase has slowed. Looking at the standard gross income from mushroom production, it has increased 5.2% over the last nine years('95~'03), 1.6% over the last 4 years('00~'03), and 3.2% over the last 3 years('02~'04)-the annual gross income is decreasing. Even though the farmers are producing more mushrooms, the annual gross income is not increasing enough to keep up with the production, and therefore the profitability of mushrooms is decreasing. Since 2002, the constant increase of the output of edible mushrooms such as the Common Mushroom, Oyster Mushroom, King Oyster Mushroom and Winter Mushroom has resulted in a price declines. Before 2004, Korea mainly exported mushrooms, but after 2004 Korea mainly imported mushrooms. The mushroom industry of Korea is nearing the end of the stage of 'supplying domestic demand.' The stages are as follows: demand raised ${\rightarrow}$ supply domestic demand ${\rightarrow}$ export ${\rightarrow}$ country with developed mushroom industry. Therefore, we should have an efficient system to promote the exportation of mushrooms. Not only the exportation of mushroom itself but also the exportation of mushroom spawn, cultivation techniques and processing facilities should be our goal when we formulate the policy.