The morel mushroom market, with a 4.94% CAGR, is projected to increase from USD 2.380 billion in 2025 to USD 3.029 billion in 2030.
Wild mushrooms with an earthy, nutty flavour are known as morel mushrooms, or simply morels. Unlike other kinds, which have a similar texture, they have a meaty texture. Chefs and mushroom aficionados prize these mushrooms as a critical element in their recipes. Unlike regular mushrooms, consumers can find morels in the grocery store as they can only be cultivated in the wild. Some of the popular examples of morel mushrooms include black morels, yellow morels and half-free morels.
Morel mushrooms are a delicacy in various cuisines around the globe. Many different cuisines, notably Provençal, use morel mushrooms. Chefs across the world value its distinctive flavour, and recipes and preparation techniques are created to emphasise and preserve it. They provide flavorful complements to soups and meals with meat and poultry, and they can also be used as pasta stuffing. In response to the globalisation of culinary culture and health-conscious consumers, morels are now widely available in restaurants and supermarkets all over the world. Therefore, the lucrative acceleration in the HoReCa industry will be one of the primary factors influencing the market expansion of morel mushrooms. According to the data from the USDA, Italy’s food retail sales reached $175 billion in 2020 5.6 per cent increase from 2019. Continuous expansion in brand franchising, rising demand for healthier and higher-quality food, and brisk internet commercialization are just a few of the reasons boosting the global food service business.
However, difficulty in cultivation, the high cost associated with morels and the rising prevalence of false morels are anticipated to obstruct the growth of the global market during the projection period.
Rising research and technological progress such as the growing adoption of indoor farming practices in the cultivation of morel mushrooms, will provide new opportunities for the players. For instance, in 2021, it was revealed that the indoor growing of Black Morel mushrooms had been successfully achieved following decades of study and experimenting using methods by The Danish Morel Project. The operation has developed morels at a rate of 20 pounds per square yard, or around 10 kilogrammes per square metre, with costs anticipated to be comparable to those of white button mushroom production.
Among all the edible mushrooms, morels have the highest quantity of vitamin D. They are also a low-fat, plant-based food, which makes them an excellent meat alternative in a heart-healthy diet. They usually have sizeable amounts of magnesium, calcium, potassium, selenium, thiamine, vitamins E and B6, iron, copper, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, folate, niacin, and riboflavin. The nutritious content of mushrooms improves with freshness. Moreover, they have a lot of antioxidants, a low amount of calories, and a lot of protein and fibre. Morel Mushrooms include an astounding amount of nutrients, which are beneficial for one's immune system, improve brain function, lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and reduce the waistline. Therefore, the demand for morel mushrooms has been increasing due to their health benefit, which are driving the market growth.
The average cost of morel mushrooms is around US$50 per pound and can go as high as US$200 per pound. Morel mushrooms are hard to cultivate; they have short growing seasons and are highly perishable. These are some of the factors that are responsible for such a steep price tag for the morel mushroom. The high cost associated with morel mushrooms restricts the growth of the global market.
The North American region is anticipated to hold a significant amount of market share in morel mushrooms. Morel mushrooms are found in wooded areas throughout North America. The North American market's revenue growth is mostly attributable to restaurants' growing demand for speciality mushrooms, which is expected to fuel market expansion across the continent. The market in the North American region is predicted to develop at a substantial rate during the forecast period due to rising consumer awareness of the health advantages of morel mushrooms and a growth in prominent morel mushroom producers as a consequence of favourable environmental conditions. Prime markets in the North American region include the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Morel Mushroom Market Segmentation: