Setting standards for oyster mushrooms in PH

To enhance the quality and marketability of oyster mushrooms in the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) Standards Research Division conductedl Field Data Gathering activities in Nueva Vizcaya and Agusan del Sur recently.

These initiatives, organized in coordination with the respective DA-Regional Field Offices, are critical components of the ongoing efforts to develop the Philippine National Standards on Oyster Mushrooms, specifically focusing on product standards, grading, and classification, said the DA-BAFS.

From August 7 to 8, 2024, the Standards Research Divsion team gathered in Nueva Vizcaya, the third-highest producer of mushrooms in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) 2023 data. This province, known for its agricultural diversity, was selected as an ideal location for gathering data that will help establish national standards to ensure oyster mushrooms produced in the region and beyond meet the highest quality benchmarks.

The DA-BAFS said the two-day Field Data Gathering activity in Nueva Vizcaya was designed to collect local data on key aspects of oyster mushroom production, including minimum quality requirements, classifications based on quality and size, tolerances for quality and size variations, presentation, marking or labeling, and methods of analysis and sampling.

“The inclusion of one-on-one interviews with oyster mushroom growers from the municipalities of Bayombong, Bagabag, and Villaverde added a vital layer of insights, grounding the standards in real-world farming conditions,” the DA-BAFS added.

Earlier, from July 23 to 25, 2024, a similar Field Data Gathering activity was conducted in Agusan del Sur, which is part of the Caraga region—identified as the top-producing region of mushrooms in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2023 report.

Agusan del Sur is where majority of Caraga's oyster mushroom interventions have been focused. According to DA-BAFS, the province provided a rich source of data for the standards development.

The Field Data Gathering activity in Agusan del Sur followed the same rigorous process as in Nueva Vizcaya, aiming to collect data on the minimum quality requirements, classifications, tolerances, presentation, marking or labeling, contaminants, hygiene, and methods of analysis and sampling.

“By involving local growers, we ensure that the standards being developed would reflect the unique conditions and needs of mushroom farmers in the region,” the DA-BAFS said.

For local farmers in both Nueva Vizcaya and Agusan del Sur, the development of these national standards could be a game-changer.

“Standardized grading and classification could open up new markets, both domestically and internationally, for their oyster mushrooms. It could also lead to better pricing structures, as buyers would have clear criteria for assessing the quality of the produce,” said the DA-BAFS.

“Aside from this, the emphasis on proper hygiene, contaminants control, and accurate labeling could enhance food safety and traceability, factors that are increasingly important to consumers. As these standards are adopted nationwide, they could significantly elevate the competitiveness of Philippine oyster mushrooms in both local and global markets,” the bureau added.

In the ASEAN region, a set of standards has been formulated since 2014 and sets comprehensive guidelines for the quality and classification of commercial oyster mushrooms, specifically from the Pleurotus species, excluding King Oyster mushrooms.

The ASEAN Standards emphasize that mushrooms must be whole, fresh, and free from pests, damage, or foreign matter, ensuring they can withstand transport and handling. The mushrooms are classified into three grades: "Extra," Class I, and Class II, based on quality and appearance. Additionally, the standard outlines size classifications, packaging requirements, labeling, and compliance with hygiene practices.

The standards aim to ensure uniformity and safety in the marketing and consumption of fresh oyster mushrooms. They also include the vernacular names for oyster mushrooms in nine of the 10 ASEAN countries. Of these countries, Brunei has two names for the oyster mushrooms while Cambodia does not have a local term for it. 

Photos courtesy of the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) Facebook page.