Files
Abstract
Significant increases in imports of processed mushrooms have affected not only domestic processors and producers of processing mushrooms but also producers and handlers of fresh mushrooms. This report, commissioned by a Presidential task force charged with making recommendations as to future import policies, investigates the competitive stance of domestic mushroom processors with respect to their foreign counterparts. It describes the structure of the mushroom industry, with special emphasis on southeastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, and marketing of the product from grower to retail buyer. This comprehensive study of the mushroom industry includes surveys of growers, repackers, canners, and major marketing and distribution firms to obtain production costs, sales, and marketing information. Included in the report are options upon which industry and Government initiatives might be focused to improve the industry's situation