The ongoing growth in the popularity of mushrooms and rising sales throughout the year is starting to put a strain on Chester County mushroom producers ahead of the holiday season, writes Christina DiMartino for The Produce News.

According to the American Mushroom Institute in Avondale, the record-high temperatures in the summer that have continued into the fall have lowered mushroom yields, resulting in nationwide shortages. The main impact of this is being felt by southeastern Pennsylvania growers, which produce around 65 percent of the country’s mushrooms.

“Production is off quite a bit currently, and now with holiday demand coming in, the market has tightened considerably,” said Kevin Donovan, national sales manager for Kennett Square’s Phillips Mushroom Farms.

While this should not affect the prices for major chain stores due to pre-existing contracts and agreements, food service and other customers will most likely start to see some increases in price.

“The mighty mushroom seemingly has graduated from a specialty item to a staple in the American diet,” said Fred Recchiuti, general manager of Avondale’s Basciani Mushroom Farms.

Read more about the mushroom shortage in The Produce News here.