The economic impact of the mushroom industry in the state of Pennsylvania is $1.1 billion, according to a new report released by the Mushroom Farmers of Pennsylvania. The report, authored by Econsult Solutions, Inc., Philadelphia, measures the economic impact of the mushroom industry in Pennsylvania and nationally.
“Mushrooms are big business in Pennsylvania,” said Meghan Klotzbach, MFPA Chair. “The mushroom industry supports a variety of jobs throughout the state including in agriculture, healthcare, retail, accommodation and food services, and other professional services.”
The 53 mushroom farms in Pennsylvania produce nearly two-thirds of the mushrooms grown in the U.S. The state’s mushroom industry is valued at $764 million and supports 8,600 jobs with $287 million in employee compensation.
According to the report, the industry has a footprint of $764 million in the state, which includes direct spending by mushroom farms, and generates an additional $322 million in indirect and induced spending. Indirect spending represents the impact when mushrooms farms purchase goods and services from local vendors who then in turn require additional purchasing with their own vendors. Induced spending reflects the money spent by mushroom industry employees on various goods and services. The total economic impact of the mushroom industry is the sum of its own direct economic footprint and the indirect and induced effects generated by that direct footprint.
In addition to direct and induced impacts, the mushroom industry also generates an estimated $16 million in tax revenue for the state. Business taxes are generated from mushroom firms and the additional firms they support through indirect and induced impacts.
Mushrooms will be on full display at the 103rd Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Jan. 5-12. The largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation, the show features nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibits every year. The free, weeklong exposition highlights the quality and breadth of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and the people who make it thrive.
This year, visitors at the Farm Show will be able to meet Pennsylvania mushroom farmers, learn about the mushroom growing process, the history of mushrooms in the state, health benefits and more in the popular mushroom booth located in the Main Hall.
Mushroom Farmers of Pennsylvania, headquartered in Avondale, is a statewide, voluntary group representing the growers, processors and marketers of cultivated mushrooms in the state of Pennsylvania.
