Detailed statistical information on Canada’s mushroom sector has been hard to come by. During the study of piece rates the province commissioned in 2018, researchers found the mushroom sector among the least forthcoming with info on production, rates and workers.
A mandatory industry survey by Statistics Canada earlier this year, however, notes that BC is driving growth in Canadian mushroom production.
“Growers harvested 29.3% more area and sold 19.2% more mushrooms than in 2018,” reports Statistics Canada.
Canada produced 145,631 tons of mushrooms in 2019, with BC growers producing 62,197 tons. BC accounts for nearly 43% of mushroom production in Canada. The crop was worth nearly $208 million in 2019.
BC production is concentrated in the Lower Mainland. Two major international companies dominate the sector. The companies are also active in Ontario, which produces 50.5% of Canada’s mushrooms.
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