The mushroom sector is entering a transformative phase, where farming tradition meets cutting-edge innovation. Once seen simply as a niche crop, mushrooms are now emerging as powerful contributors to sustainable agriculture, human wellness, and even material science.

Shaping a circular food system

One of mushrooms’ greatest strengths lies in their resource efficiency. Unlike many crops, they flourish on byproducts such as straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds, making them natural allies in the shift toward circular farming. For growers, this opens opportunities to reduce waste, diversify substrates, and partner with other agricultural industries to create closed-loop systems.

Health on the rise

Consumer interest in functional and nutrient-rich foods continues to surge, and mushrooms are at the forefront. Varieties like Lion’s Mane and Reishi are valued for their adaptogenic potential, while everyday favorites such as oyster and button mushrooms are being recognized for their protein, fiber, and vitamin D. This dual reputation, both as staple food and functional ingredient, is fueling new product development across the food and supplement industries.

Farming smarter with technology

The drive toward efficiency and scalability has accelerated adoption of digital tools. Automated climate systems, AI-based monitoring, and sensor-driven data analytics are helping growers fine-tune production while tackling labor shortages. Farms that embrace these technologies are finding new ways to improve yields, cut costs, and meet rising demand with consistency.

Beyond the plate

Mushrooms are increasingly breaking into non-food markets. Mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi, is now being used to create biodegradable packaging, sustainable textiles, and even construction materials. These developments highlight the mushroom industry’s potential to play a role far beyond food, positioning it as a cornerstone of sustainable innovation.

Building a future-ready industry

As mushrooms gain attention worldwide, the industry faces both opportunity and responsibility. Growth must balance innovation with sustainability, ensuring practices that protect natural resources while meeting expanding consumer expectations. Collaboration between farmers, researchers, and entrepreneurs will be vital in keeping the sector resilient.

Mushrooms today are not only a crop but a vision of what agriculture and innovation can achieve together. For farmers and industry leaders, the message is clear: cultivating mushrooms means cultivating the future.

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A study from Singapore shows that people who eat more than two portions of mushrooms per week have a 47% lower risk of developing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

What is MCI?

MCI is a condition in which memory, concentration, or other cognitive functions are slightly below what is normal for one’s age, while daily functioning remains largely intact. It is considered an early warning sign of dementia, though not every case of MCI progresses to it.

How mushrooms help

Scientists believe that certain compounds in mushrooms, such as antioxidants and bioactive substances may help protect brain cells from oxidative stress.

Important to know

The study is observational: it shows associations, but not necessarily cause-and-effect.

Further research and clinical studies are needed to understand exactly which mushroom varieties and dosages are most effective.

Inspired by research published via PMC (National Library of Medicine)

When you think of mushrooms, you might picture them on your plate. But researchers in Spain are showing how fungi can also shape the future of packaging. Their latest project turns mushroom mycelium into a biodegradable, durable material that can replace plastic.

This is part of a growing global movement: companies in the US, Europe, and Asia are all exploring how fungi can tackle one of the world’s biggest waste challenges. By transforming side streams and agricultural by-products into packaging, mycelium offers a double win, reducing plastic pollution and making better use of resources.

For mushroom growers and industry players, it’s another example of how fungi are stepping outside the farm and into mainstream innovation.

Ecovative, a pioneer in mycelium-based technologies for sustainable food and materials, today announced the sale of its Netherlands-based subsidiary, Ecovative Spawn & Substrate BV, to the Klerken family, founders of Scelta Mushrooms.

Under the Klerken family’s ownership, the business will be renamed OurCelia, marking a new chapter in its support of the mushroom industry and introducing new solutions to mushroom farmers globally. This transition reflects a marriage of strengths: Ecovative’s leadership in mycelium innovation, stretching two decades, and the Klerken family’s deep roots in the global mushroom industry, dating back to 1963. Together, the two organizations will maintain a close, long-term relationship to advance the supply of world-class spawn products to both mushroom and mycelium producers. Ecovative previously acquired Lambert Spawn Netherlands in 2022 from its U.S. parent company, Lambert Spawn, founded in 1919 and recognized as the world’s oldest spawn producer. With this foundation, the Dutch spawn activities are now continuing under the Klerken family as OurCelia.

“Ecovative is proud to have grown the global supply chain for Agaricus and AirMycelium spawn from the Netherlands, and we are confident that under the Klerken family’s stewardship, OurCelia will thrive as a dedicated supplier to mushroom growers and mycelium producers worldwide,” said Eben Bayer Co-founder and CEO, Ecovative. “This step allows Ecovative to sharpen its focus on scaling AirMycelium production across our food and materials businesses in the United States, while ensuring the Dutch spawn business continues to serve the industry with excellence.” “The mushroom industry has been at the heart of our family for generations,” said Jan Klerken Sr., founder of Scelta Mushrooms. “With OurCelia, we are building on that heritage by expanding our business to include spawn and substrate production. This is a natural continuation of our commitment to advancing mushroom cultivation and supporting growers for decades to come.” In addition, Ies Hooglugt will continue in his role as managing director, ensuring continuity and trusted leadership for employees, customers, and partners of the company

Looking Ahead with OurCelia

For the Klerken family, OurCelia is more than a new company — it is a bold step to shape the future of the mushroom industry. With deep roots that stretch back generations, the family has always believed in the power of mushrooms to nourish people and transform industries. OurCelia will build on that legacy by reimagining spawn and substrate production for a new era, delivering cutting-edge solutions that help mushroom farmers grow stronger businesses, diversify their crops, and expand into new markets. By combining tradition with forward-looking innovation, the Klerken family aims to make OurCelia a global leader in advancing fungi as a cornerstone of sustainable food, agriculture, and materials for decades to come.

About OurCelia

OurCelia is a Dutch producer of high-quality mushroom spawn and substrates, rooted in decades of expertise within the global mushroom industry. Founded in 2025 following the acquisition of Ecovative Spawn & Substrate BV by the Klerken family, also founders of Scelta Mushrooms, the company builds on a long heritage of innovation and entrepreneurship in mushroom cultivation. By combining tradition with cutting-edge technologies, OurCelia supports growers worldwide with reliable, sustainable solutions that strengthen their businesses and open new opportunities for the future.

Watch the delivery of harvesting trolleys to the Sopińscy mushroom farm

GrowTime has just delivered modern mushroom harvesting lorries to the Sopińscy farm. This is another step toward more efficient and comfortable harvesting.

We’ve prepared a short video where you can see how the delivery went and how our solutions look in practice.

We are proud to support the growth of Polish mushroom producers. Watch the delivery video below!
 

The Future is Fungi Award is back, championing pioneering solutions that harness fungi and mycelium to tackle some of today’s biggest environmental challenges. The initiative aims to help startups and science entrepreneurs turn their ideas into impactful businesses.

For startups

• € 250,000 SAFE investment to accelerate growth
• Access to a global expert network across corporates, research institutes and startup mentors (including L’Oréal, Novonesis, Stanford, BASF and DSM-Firmenich)
• Visibility through the Fungal Hall of Fame and international media features
  
  

For science entrepreneurs

• A three-month venture builder program to transform research into a startup
• Financial support to kick-start the journey
• Access to the same worldwide network of experts
• Recognition and media coverage for the global winner
  
  

Key dates

• Startups: applications open September 10 - October 1
• Science entrepreneurs: applications open in December

With the Future is Fungi Award, innovators get a chance to bring their ideas to a global stage, and help build a more sustainable future.

Find out more and apply at www.futureisfungi.org.

From 25–27 September 2025, the German Association of Mushroom and Cultivated Mushroom Growers (BDC) will host its traditional annual conference at the H4 Hotel in Leipzig. The three-day event combines professional discussions, technical updates, and cultural highlights for mushroom growers and industry partners.

Highlights include:

• Closed committee meetings and the members’ general assembly (including a new chair election).
• Public lectures on the Healthy Mushrooms promotion campaign, mushroom production in Switzerland, and current challenges for European growers.
• Sessions on AI in harvesting and predicting the right picking time, plus a planned talk on cybersecurity for farms.
• A presentation by Prof. Dr. Fritz-Gerald Schröder exploring how taste develops in mushrooms.

Participants can also join a tour of Pilzhof Pilzsubstrat Wallhausen GmbH on Saturday morning, and enjoy networking dinners — including an evening at Leipzig’s historic Auerbachs Keller.

More details and registration: BDC Annual Conference

Canadian agtech company Mycionics has introduced its newest innovation, the Crop Scout, now live at South Mill Champs Mushrooms.

The system scans each mushroom in real time and uses a green light to show harvesters exactly which ones are ready to pick.

By guiding workers to optimal mushrooms, Crop Scout helps farms achieve 4–8% higher yields and improves harvesting efficiency by around 15%. For an industry where labour and timing are critical, this selective approach can significantly cut waste and standardise quality.

The rollout was developed in partnership with South Mill Champs and Christiaens Group BV, marking another step forward in applying robotics and AI to commercial mushroom production.