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The European Mushroom Growers Promo Group (GEPC Promo) is launching a mushroom promotion campaign in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands, co-financed by the European Union, under the slogan “European Mushrooms, the hidden gem.”
According to the information, the €5 million campaign is expected to generate an increase in sales of €28 million over three years. The campaign aims to raise consumer awareness of the many benefits of European mushrooms and their important role in a healthy and balanced diet.
Affordable, available all year round, varied, rich, easy to prepare, highly sustainable, nothing is missing, European mushrooms are a real treasure,”
the statement read.
Mushroom stew prepared in a vegetarian dish. Photo: Facebook/vegasztromania
The communication explains that the European mushroom sector has an annual turnover of more than €1.5 billion, with
Poland and the Netherlands being the largest European producers, accounting for more than 50% of total European production, followed closely by Spain.
The most widely grown variety is the Champignon. In 2020, production reached 1,063,700 tons, of which 64 percent was destined for the fresh market and 36 percent for processing. Mushroom production requires significant investment, but these figures have remained relatively stable in recent years.
The sector is also very important for employment, providing more than 40,000 direct jobs, especially in rural areas, with some 2,900 producers in Europe,”
according to the statement.
They noted that 70 percent of fresh mushroom sales are made through retail chains, mainly hypermarkets and supermarkets, with the remaining 30 percent going to the catering sector. In recent years, the purchase price paid by both retailers and restaurants has remained very stable at around €3 per kilogram.
Annual mushroom consumption per capita in Hungarian households has increased significantly over the last decade. Although the record high food price inflation has not spared seasonal foods, with wild mushrooms being priced at high levels in markets and supermarkets, if one picks their own in the forest, they can get away with horrendous prices.
Mushrooms are prepared in a wide variety- even used in desserts- but their usage is most common in soups, sauces, salads, stuffed dishes, casseroles, pâtés, prepared in the form of fried mushrooms, or mushroom stew, or simply for seasoning stuffed and stewed dishes. Some are also tasty in dried form, for seasoning salads, mushroom pickles, or egg dishes.
Agriculture Minister István Nagy found some Marasmius on his recent mushroom collecting, and posted it on his social media page.
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