Pennsylvania Mushroom Farmers Lead U.S. in Mushroom Production

On August 26, 2022, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the United States Department of Agriculture released its last report on mushroom production in the United States.

Two-thirds of the white button mushrooms consumed the United States come from Pennsylvania (PA) mushroom farms. Pennsylvania farms produced 446.58 million pounds of white button mushrooms; Pennsylvania white button mushroom farms led all states with $459.38 million in sales.

White button mushrooms are by far the most popular, however mushroom growers in the state also produce other varieties. According to NASS, specialty mushrooms, including Shiitake, Oyster, and others, totaled $ 87.3 million in 2021-2022, with PA farmers making up a significant portion of those sales.

Today, many of the PA mushroom farms are owned and operated by local families and, in many cases, are multigenerational farms passed down to sons and daughters, nephews and cousins in third, fourth, or even fifth generations.

"Southeastern Pennsylvania has the largest concentration of mushroom farms, which employ nearly 9,500 people. The mushroom farming community contributes an estimated $2.7 billion to the local economy including sales, farm employment, taxes, and value of service industries that support the farms," said Maria Gorgo-Gourovitch, Penn State Extension educator for the Horticulture team.

Mushrooms from the state were on display during the 2022 PA Farm Show in Harrisburg in January. Visitors were able to meet PA mushroom farmers and learn about the process of growing mushrooms, pick mushrooms, and more in the popular Mush-Room located in the Main hall.