Status of oak mushroom cultivation and production in Korea focused on Hwasung and Yongin Cities in Gyeonggi Province

The overall production of oak mushrooms has steadily increased in Korea, but the mushroom market is plagued with a wave of falling prices and intensified competition as imports of Chinese oak mushrooms increase. Imported Chinese oak mushrooms are mostly grown on sawdust blocks, which are costly in Korea because of higher labor costs and log prices. Mushroom farmers, therefore, strive to seek ways to compete with Chinese oak mushrooms, and the use of broad-leaved tree species is under consideration to promote sawdust-based mushroom cultivation. Korean oak mushrooms are expected to be more competitive when they are grown on sawdust rather than log while imports of Chinese mushrooms are still limited due to difficulties sustaining freshness. However, there are some obstacles such as the acquisition of superior strains of mushroom to promote sawdust cultivation of oak mushroom. Thus, The study investigated the status of production and sales of oak mushroom and the intent of mushroom farmers toward mushroom culture in wooden trays by conducting a questionnaire survey involving mushroom farmers in the two cities in Gyeonggi Province. Results of the study revealed that there were differences in production volume and revenue per oak log between mushroom farmers in the two areas. Many farmers showed distrustful reactions towards strains distributed because of frequent loss and damages caused by purchased strains. It is, therefore, necessary to encourage farmers to increase productivity by standardizing culture techniques and supplying good strains of mushrooms. More farmers in Hwasung City are interested in mushroom cultivation in wooden trays, but farmers in Yongin City were less enthusiastic about mushroom cultivation in wooden trays after witnessing failures of other farmers. The findings of the study signifies the need for introducing effects of mushroom culture in wooden trays among mushroom farmers, and developing superior strains of mushrooms to promote mushroom growth using wooden trays.