Automation in mushroom farming has long been discussed as a way to improve efficiency. What is changing now is the growing pressure behind it. Labour shortages, rising costs and increasing demands on consistency are making it more difficult for farms to rely on traditional harvesting and packing processes alone.

In many cases, labour accounts for a significant share of production costs, while at the same time becoming harder to secure. This is shifting automation from a long-term ambition to a more immediate consideration. Rather than focusing on full replacement, many growers are exploring how technology can support specific tasks and reduce dependency on manual work.

Developments like these suggest that automation is becoming less of an option, and more a necessary step in maintaining stable operations.

Please read the full article here.

Source: The Packer

A new research initiative in Denmark is exploring how artificial intelligence and robotics can accelerate the development of fungi-based solutions.

By combining large-scale data analysis with automated experimentation, researchers aim to better understand how fungi behave and how they can be applied across different industries.

Rather than focusing on a single use case, the project looks at fungi as a broader biological platform, with potential applications in food, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. By increasing the speed and precision of research, this approach could help unlock new opportunities that would be difficult to identify through traditional methods.

While the impact on daily mushroom production may not be immediate, developments like these are likely to shape the future direction of the industry.

Please read the full article here.

Source: Innovation Fund Denmark

In a previous edition of Mushroom Matter Industry Insights, we highlighted a shift towards more pragmatic and integrated approaches to technology in the mushroom sector.

In this edition, we take a closer look at three developments that are gaining momentum across the industry:

• data-driven mushroom farming
• energy efficiency strategies
• the next generation of harvesting robotics

Together, these topics show how the sector is moving towards smarter, more efficient and future-proof production systems.

From intuition to data-driven growing

Mushroom cultivation has always relied heavily on experience and intuition. Skilled growers understand their crops by observing subtle changes in growth, climate and timing.

What is changing today is not the importance of that experience, but how it is supported.

Sensor technology and data platforms are increasingly being used to monitor:

• temperature and humidity at multiple levels
• CO₂ concentrations
• airflow and microclimate differences within growing rooms
• growth patterns across flushes

This allows growers to move from reactive adjustments to more predictive decision-making.

Instead of asking what is happening now?, the question becomes:
what is likely to happen next and how can we anticipate it?

Artificial intelligence and data models are slowly entering the sector, but their role is still supportive rather than leading. The real value lies in combining data insights with grower expertise.

The farms that benefit most are not those with the most data, but those that know how to use it in a practical way.

Energy efficiency as a strategic priority

Energy has become one of the most critical cost factors in mushroom production.

Climate control, ventilation, cooling and heating all require significant energy input, making efficiency a key focus area for growers.

Across the sector, several strategies are emerging:

• optimising climate recipes to reduce unnecessary energy us
• improving insulation and air handling system
• recovering and reusing heat where possible
• exploring alternative energy sources

What stands out is that energy efficiency is no longer treated as a standalone project.

It is increasingly integrated into overall farm strategy, where climate control, yield optimisation and cost management are closely linked.

For example, small adjustments in climate settings can reduce energy consumption while maintaining — or even improving — product quality.

This makes energy efficiency not just a sustainability measure, but a direct driver of profitability.

The next generation of harvesting robotics

Robotics continues to be one of the most visible areas of innovation in the mushroom sector.

However, the narrative is shifting.

Where earlier developments focused on full automation, the current generation of harvesting robotics is becoming more refined, adaptive and realistic in its application.

Key improvements include:

• better vision systems for detecting size, maturity and position
• more precise picking mechanisms
• improved ability to handle variability within flushes

At the same time, expectations are becoming more grounded.

Fully autonomous harvesting remains complex due to the biological variability of mushrooms. As a result, many solutions are designed to operate within hybrid systems, supporting human pickers rather than replacing them entirely.

Robotics is increasingly seen as:

• a way to stabilise capacity
• a tool to reduce physical strain
• a solution for specific bottlenecks in the harvesting process

The question is no longer can robots replace people?, but
where do robots add the most value within the process?

Connecting the dots

What links these three developments is a common direction: smarter integration.

• Data helps growers make better decisions
• Energy strategies improve efficiency and sustainability
• Robotics supports labour and stabilises operations

None of these developments stand on their own.

Their real impact emerges when they are combined into a coherent production strategy.

This reflects a broader shift within the industry, from isolated innovation to integrated optimisation.

A realistic path forward

The mushroom sector is not moving towards a fully automated future overnight.

Instead, it is building a more balanced model, where:

• technology supports biology
• data supports decision-making
• automation supports people

This approach may be less visible than bold innovation headlines, but it is far more effective in practice.

Looking ahead

As these developments continue to evolve, the focus will remain on practical implementation and real-world impact.

In the next edition of Mushroom Matter Industry Insights, we will explore several additional developments shaping the sector, including:

• labour strategy and workforce sustainability in mushroom production
• shifting market demand and the role of specialty mushrooms
• collaboration across the value chain

These topics continue the conversation about how the industry is adapting, not only through technology, but also through people, positioning and partnerships.

What’s moving the mushroom industry right now?

The mushroom sector continues to evolve at pace. Automation, labour availability and cost efficiency remain dominant themes, while growers balance innovation with reliability on the farm floor.

Below are a few developments worth reading!

Hybrid harvesting, semi-automation and technology that works with biology

The mushroom industry continues to evolve as growers balance biological realities with technological progress. While automation and robotics have advanced significantly in recent years, the sector is increasingly recognising that the most effective innovations are those that support, rather than replace the biological and operational dynamics of mushroom cultivation.

Three developments are particularly shaping how growers approach technology today: hybrid harvesting, the return on investment of semi-automation, and systems that adapt to biological variability.

Together, these trends illustrate a shift away from the idea of fully autonomous farms towards a more pragmatic model of technological integration.

Hybrid harvesting as a structural solution

For many growers, hybrid harvesting is becoming a structural solution rather than a temporary transition phase.

Fully autonomous harvesting remains difficult in mushroom production because crops rarely grow in perfectly predictable patterns. Flushes vary in density, size and timing, making it challenging for robotic systems to match the adaptability and decision-making of experienced pickers.

Hybrid harvesting systems combine automated harvesting equipment with human labour, allowing technology to handle repetitive tasks while workers focus on quality selection and precision picking.

This approach allows growers to stabilise harvesting capacity during peak production periods while maintaining the flexibility needed to respond to crop variability. Instead of replacing labour entirely, automation becomes a tool that supports workers and improves overall operational resilience.

The ROI of Semi-Automation

While the concept of fully automated farms often attracts attention, many growers are finding that the most impactful investments come from semi-automation.

Technologies that support specific steps in the production process, such as climate control optimisation, grading systems, conveyor handling or partial harvesting automation, can deliver clear operational improvements without requiring massive infrastructure changes.

Semi-automation allows farms to modernise gradually while keeping systems manageable and adaptable. The focus is increasingly on measurable outcomes such as:

• improved labour efficiency

• reduced physical strain for workers

• more consistent product quality

• better production planning

As a result, growers are evaluating technology not only based on innovation potential but on practical return on investment. Systems that deliver stable performance and integrate well with existing workflows are often prioritised over more complex fully autonomous solutions.

Technology that adapts to biological variability

One of the defining characteristics of mushroom cultivation is biological variability. Even under controlled environmental conditions, each flush can develop differently in terms of growth speed, density and size distribution.

Historically, many technological solutions attempted to impose uniformity on this process. However, the industry is increasingly recognising that successful technology must adapt to biology rather than forcing biological systems into rigid production models.

New developments in sensor technology, climate control algorithms and data monitoring are helping growers better understand and respond to the dynamics of their crops.

By analysing environmental data and production patterns, growers can make more informed decisions about climate adjustments, harvesting timing and production planning. This approach allows farms to optimise yield quality and consistency while respecting the natural behaviour of the crop.

In this context, technology becomes a support system that enhances biological production rather than trying to override it.

A pragmatic path forward

The current direction of technological development in the mushroom industry reflects a broader shift towards practical optimisation.

Instead of focusing solely on breakthrough automation, many growers are prioritising systems that improve reliability, efficiency and operational flexibility. Hybrid harvesting, semi-automation and adaptive technologies all represent pragmatic steps that help farms manage labour challenges while maintaining high production standards.

As the industry continues to integrate digital tools, robotics and data-driven growing systems, the most successful innovations will likely be those that respect the complex biological nature of mushroom cultivation.

Looking ahead

In the next edition of Mushroom Matter Industry Insights, we will explore several additional developments shaping the sector, including:

• data-driven mushroom farming and the role of sensors and AI

• energy efficiency in mushroom cultivation

• the next generation of harvesting robotics

These topics continue the conversation about how technology can support a resilient and sustainable future for mushroom production.

We’ll continue to follow these developments closely and share insights that matter to growers, farm managers and technology partners.

What’s moving the mushroom industry right now?

The mushroom sector continues to evolve at pace. Automation, labour availability and cost efficiency remain dominant themes, while growers balance innovation with reliability on the farm floor.

Below are a few developments worth watching.

1. Automation: progress, but not autonomy

Robotics in mushroom harvesting keep improving, yet fully autonomous solutions are still limited in peak and variable flush conditions. As a result, more growers are exploring hybrid harvesting models, where technology supports – rather than replaces – skilled labour. The focus is shifting from “full automation” to consistency, ergonomics and uptime.

2. Labour strategy is becoming a technical issue

Labour shortages are no longer just an HR concern. Growers are increasingly looking at technical solutions to:

• reduce physical strain
• stabilise output quality
• make harvesting work more predictable

This is influencing investment decisions in equipment, layout and workflow design.

3. Data-driven growing gains traction

Yield tracking, flush performance analysis and real-time monitoring are becoming standard tools for larger operations. What stands out: growers are less interested in dashboards, and more in actionable insights that support daily decision-making on the farm.

4. Sustainability: from ambition to optimisation

Rather than big sustainability claims, the conversation is moving toward practical optimisation:

• energy efficiency per kg
• smarter use of substrates
• longer equipment lifecycles

Incremental improvements are proving more impactful than radical overhauls.

What to watch next

In the coming months, expect more discussion around:

• hybrid harvesting as a structural solution
• the ROI of semi-automation
• technology that adapts to biological variability, instead of forcing uniformity

We’ll continue to follow these developments closely and share insights that matter to growers, farm managers and technology partners.

Preparations are in full swing for the next edition of the Dutch Mushroom Days, taking place from 22–24 April 2026 at the Brabanthallen in ’s-Hertogenbosch (the Netherlands).

Following the successful 2023 edition, the upcoming event promises once again to be a key global meeting point for the mushroom industry, bringing together participants and visitors from all continents. The programme includes a vibrant exhibition, networking opportunities, and the festive Network Party with the presentation of the Ambassador of the Mushroom Industry Awards.

Companies interested in exhibiting can still register until 15 November 2025.
More information about the organizers and registration you can find here.

We are very happy to announce David M. Beyer, Professor of Mushrooms, to our platform. To start, David briefly explains about his background and involvement in the mushroom industry.

For almost 45 years I have been involved in the mushroom industry, first and always as a student of mushroom science and then as a commercial mushroom grower.

I worked 12 years growing mushrooms at the largest mushroom company in Canada with a tray farm, 3 shelf farms and a Dutch-style bulk tunnel farm. As Director of Growing, I provided technical assistance and training to the growers at all 5 farms.

For the past 34 years I have worked at Penn State as the director of the mushroom extension program for the North American commercial mushroom industry. My previous commercial growing experience provides practical insight into the development and organization of my educational programs that address the changing needs of the industry.

My research program involves all aspects of mushroom growing from composting, compost nutrition for the mushroom, disease management (IPM), and cultural factors affecting mushroom yield, size, and quality. I have developed and conducted several customized grower educational programs for mushroom farms and suppliers.

For almost 45 years I have been involved in the mushroom industry, first and always as a student of mushroom science and then as a commercial mushroom grower.

I worked 12 years growing mushrooms at the largest mushroom company in Canada with a tray farm, 3 shelf farms and a Dutch-style bulk tunnel farm. As Director of Growing, I provided technical assistance and training to the growers at all 5 farms.

For the past 34 years I have worked at Penn State as the director of the mushroom extension program for the North American commercial mushroom industry. My previous commercial growing experience provides practical insight into the development and organization of my educational programs that address the changing needs of the industry.

My research program involves all aspects of mushroom growing from composting, compost nutrition for the mushroom, disease management (IPM), and cultural factors affecting mushroom yield, size, and quality. I have developed and conducted several customized grower educational programs for mushroom farms and suppliers.

We are very pleased with this international player in the mushroom industry on our platform.

Here's some history on the company's inception
Cees Ribbens, a coatings manufacturer for the marine industry, was tasked with creating a gas-tight coating for refrigeration units around 50 years ago. His solution proved to be a success and the company expanded globally. After Mr. Ribbens' passing in the 1980s, his successor renamed the company 'RibbStyle,' meaning 'in the style of Ribbens.'

RibbStyle’s continued growth and dedicated team
Since their establishment, they have seen consistent growth and expansion. They currently have three branches and collaborate with distributors worldwide. Their goal is to continue expanding internationally, while remaining focused on local visibility and presence.

Their team
At their company, they have a team of twelve passionate employees. As a small business, they work very closely together and flexibility is a must. Their goal is to establish a welcoming and dependable environment for everyone they engage with.

Their commitment to quality
Quality is the cornerstone of their business. They utilize a multi-layer technique that includes a reinforcement layer. By combining these layers into a cohesive system, they provide their customers with a long-lasting solution. Furthermore, RibbStyle holds several certificates that highlight the standards they integrate into their daily operations.

RibbStyle's Expertise in Mushroom Cultivation
RibbStyle has a variety of branches, one of which specializes in mushroom cultivation. The process of growing mushrooms, such as mushrooms, is highly specialized, and creating the ideal growing climate is crucial. RibbStyle possesses the necessary knowledge and expertise to properly manage your compost tunnels and cultivation cells. They understand how important it is to have a vapor-tight coating to prevent disease and contamination. Additionally, they are well-equipped to handle repairs and maintenance to ensure your mushrooms are properly cared for.

More than just coatings
Having traveled around the world, the’ve seen both beautiful and prosperous places, as well as impoverished ones. In December 2010, a group of their enthusiastic colleagues established the ‘Color the World foundation’. The foundation's primary objective is to bring more color to the world by performing construction and painting work for the underprivileged.

To learn more about RibbStyle or get in touch with them, please check out their website.

We don't know of mushroom farms that aren't looking for ways to improve profitability or increase savings in the mushroom industry.

Mushroom lighting is a piece of equipment that affects the profitability of the business and is optimizable in many ways.

Based on our experience of working with mushroom farm owners around the world, we have prepared a guide that is likely to be of great value to both existing mushroom farms and those that are planned or under construction.

We invite you to read the guide here.