Vietnam ranks third in straw mushroom exports
Ha Noi, Nov. 20 (VNA) -- Viet Nam exported 40,000 tonnes of straw mushrooms a year and became the world's third largest exporter.
Its largest market is Japan, which consumed 40 percent of the total export output. It was followed by Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, the United States and Thailand.
This year's gross production, estimated at 100,000 tonnes has failed to meet demand for domestic consumption and exports.
The industry has therefore been investing in advanced technology in an effort to produce 2 million tonnes of fresh straw mushrooms or 1 million tonnes of salted products, which would sell for USD 1 billion in overseas markets.
As the world's second largest rice exporter, Viet Nam can turn out between 20 and 30 million tonnes of straw a year, creating a great potential for the industry.
Good quality and low prices are two major advantages for Viet Nam's straw mushrooms in the world market, said Dr. Le Vo Dinh Tuong from the Tropical Biology Institute.
The Hong Kong-invested Mekofood company, Thailand's Foodtech company, the Malaysian-funded Interfood company, and many other foreign invested companies, mostly operating in the south where straw mushroom cultivation is booming, have shown interest in investing in this business.-- VNA
