The fresh mushroom market in Singapore is expected to grow at an annual compound rate of 3% over the next four years to reach just over US$101 million in 2020, according to a recent report by Technavio.

The report takes stock of trends for retail and foodservice for the vegetable, valued for various nutritional properties including high levels of antioxidants and selenium, the latter playing a vital role in liver enzyme function.

The types of mushrooms by percentage of the market is expected to stay roughly similar over the period, with button mushrooms expected to drop by just one percentage point, which would be taken by the Shiitake category. 

This would mean by 2020 the market is forecast to include 39% button mushrooms, 33% Shiitake and 20% Oyster mushrooms.

Last year the fresh button mushroom market in Sinapore was valued at US$34.98 million, followed by Shiitake at US$28.15 million and Oyster at US$17.54 million - all three are due for a similar growth rate of  3% or greater.

Arushi Thakur, a non-alcoholic beverages industry expert from Technavio, said button mushrooms can be added to vegetable dishes in restaurants as an extra serving, while their small size made them ideal for skewers and stews.

"In addition, they take on the flavors of other ingredients. For instance, they pair well with cheese, meat, herbs, and cream-based sauces. In addition, growers find the compact size of button mushrooms easy to pick, pack, and ship," Thakur said.

Shiitake mushrooms are particularly known for the smoky flavor and rich texture, and their support in preventing cardiovascular disease with antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties which help reducing inflammation and controlling blood sugar.

"Restaurants, owing to the flavor and health benefits of these mushrooms, serve delicious and unique shiitake mushroom dishes," Thakur said.

"For instance, Whole Earth serves Nyonya Curry, a popular dish among Singaporeans, which contains shiitake mushrooms in a thick piquant curry sauce.

"Other popular dishes are Singapore noodles with shrimp and shiitake mushrooms, butter shiitake mushrooms, and braised shiitake mushrooms."

In terms of imports, UN Comtrade statistics show Singapore's button mushroom imports rose 16% in 2015 to hit US$12.5 million; a substantial jump as well considering that in the three years prior figures did not reach the US$3 million mark.

Malaysia was by far the biggest supplier at US$8.8 milion, followed by the Netherlands (US$2.4 million), Indonesia (US$889,616) and Thailand (US$144,768)

In the category 'mushrooms and truffles', the agency reported a 22% drop in imports to US$21.35 million, with China accounting for almost half the supply at US$10.15 million, followed by Malaysia (US$4.8 million) and Thailand (US$2.7 million).

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