Poland has established itself as the largest exporter of mushrooms (fresh) in the world, with overseas shipments of $604 million in 2024, according to data from the Central Statistical Office.
Of all world exports of fresh mushrooms, 38.8% originated in Poland.
Its foreign sales go mainly to Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Greece and Italy.
Largest exporter of mushrooms
Poland is the European and world leader in fresh mushroom production, with 350,000 tons per year, more than 30% of the global supply. Its crops combine modern methods and strict controls, guaranteeing competitive quality.
Other major exporters of these mushrooms in 2024 were Canada (US$356 million) and Ireland (US$178 million).
Fresh mushrooms are mainly used in cooking as an ingredient in soups, salads, stews, pastas and pizzas. They are also consumed sautéed, roasted or stuffed. They provide umami flavor, low calorie content and nutritional benefits such as fiber, antioxidants and vitamins.
The following are the world’s largest exporters of fresh mushrooms, in millions of dollars and year-on-year growth rates, according to WTO data:
- Poland: 604 (+8 percent).
- Canada: 356 (+11 percent).
- Ireland: 178 (+68 percent).
- Netherlands: 146 (-12 percent).
- China: 35 (-26 percent).
Technical expertise
Poland has comparative advantages in mushroom production thanks to its low labor costs, favorable climate, modern infrastructure and technical expertise. In addition, its strategic location in Europe facilitates rapid exports to key markets such as Germany, the UK and France.
In 2024, world exports of fresh mushrooms were US$1,455 million, an increase of 7.1% year-on-year.
Below is the trend for Polish fresh mushroom exports, in millions of dollars:
- 2018: 411.
- 2019: 402.
- 2020: 402.
- 2021: 470.
- 2022: 490.
- 2023: 558.
- 2024: 604.
With 37 million inhabitants, Poland is the most populous Central and Eastern European country in the European Union. Its economy has been among the fastest growing in the last 20 years, with low private debt, a flexible exchange rate and a large domestic market.
Agriculture accounts for about 3% of Poland’s GDP.