Once dismissed as mere “toadstools,” mushrooms have undergone a dramatic transformation into a culinary and economic sensation in Bangladesh.
At the heart of this boom, Savar has become home to a massive wholesale hub, where traders remain busy from dawn to dusk.
Situated at the main gates of the Mushroom Development Institute near Savar bus stand, this vibrant marketplace operates seven days a week.
It has become the primary “beating heart” for the industry, drawing farmers from across the northern, southern, and south-western reaches of the country.
While many cultivators travel to the market in person, others utilise regular transport networks, seamlessly settling deals via bank transfers and mobile banking.
This flourishing hub is the go-to destination for the capital’s elite hospitality sector. Representatives from five-star hotels and prestigious restaurants are regular fixtures, often securing supply contracts lasting up to six months to ensure their kitchens remain stocked with the finest produce.
The diversity on display is staggering. Traders offer everything from Button and Shiitake to the exotic Monkey Head, Rishi, Golden Oyster, Kan (Wood Ear), and Milky mushrooms.
Beyond the fresh harvest, the market has birthed a cottage industry of innovative by-products, including mushroom-infused soaps, heart supplements, energy boosters, and gourmet treats like mushroom sashliks, cakes, and even mushroom tea.
The scale of the industry is equally impressive. Akhter Jahan Kakon, agriculturist and project director of the ‘Mushroom Cultivation Extension for Nutrition Improvement and Poverty Reduction’ project, revealed that the sector now supports around 1.5 lakh people.
With over 600 entrepreneurs and 1,800 group farmers leading the charge, the nation produces roughly 40,000 metric tons of mushrooms annually.
This “fungal gold” carries a staggering market value of between Tk800 and Tk850 crore. Kakon expressed high hopes for the future, noting that after satisfying soaring domestic demand, the industry is poised for large-scale international export.
Beyond the balance sheets, mushrooms are being hailed as a superfood. Kakon highlighted their status as a protein-rich powerhouse, containing 25 to 35 per cent protein, alongside essential Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and minerals.
As the only government facility of its kind, the Mushroom Development Institute in Savar continues to spearhead this movement, turning a once-ignored fungus into a cornerstone of national nutrition and prosperity.
