Indoor agriculture mushrooms, specifically exotic mushrooms are growing in popularity and quickly becoming an ideal crop due to their high yield, fast growth, and nutritional value. The increasing demand for exotic mushrooms in the food industry and unique ways they can be utilized in other industries makes them a profitable crop for indoor farmers. Growing mushrooms in a controlled environment enables farmers to achieve a more consistent and higher quality crop.

In 2020, the global mushroom market size was valued at USD 50.4 billion and is projected to reach USD78.4 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period (source: Grand View Research). In contrast, the global microgreens market size was valued at USD 1.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 2.6 billion by 2027 (source: Grand View Research).

In 2020, the total value of mushroom sales in the United States was $1.23 billion, up from $1.16 billion in 2019 (source: USDA).

In 2021, China was the leading producer of mushrooms and truffles worldwide, producing an estimated 41.1 million metric tons of mushrooms and truffles. (source: Statista)

The production of specialty mushrooms, such as shiitake and oyster mushrooms, has been increasing in recent years due to their growing popularity and higher profitability (source: USDA).

The briefing paper includes discussions of the growing conditions needed for successful mushroom farming, mushroom varieties, key startups in the space and the burgeoning market for non-food uses for mushrooms.

For instance, according to Contain vendor and mushroom container farm producer Farm Box Foods: “People are figuring out the different types of uses, not just for the mushrooms themselves, but for the Mycelium.  The mycelium is essentially the foundation for the mushrooms. It's when you introduce oxygen to that mycelium, the mushrooms start to pin. So the mushrooms are actually the fruit of the mycelium. People are taking that mycelium, it's very durable and they're using it as a replacement for say rubber. So they're making shoes, clothes, and belts out of mycelium.”

Download the full briefing paper on Contain Insights.