Ingredients in Focus is Food Dive’s bite-size column highlighting interesting developments in the ingredients sector.
Chaga mushrooms, a fungi high in antioxidants and plant compounds, are expected to see major growth in the next ten years.
A report from Fact.Mr showed that the global market for the ingredient is poised to reach $1.05 billion by the end of 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2% to reach $2.1 billion by 2034.
Chaga mushrooms have been used for centuries in Siberia and other parts of Asia as a medicine to boost immunity and improve overall health. The mushrooms are an enzyme that aids in the treatment of diabetes and high cholesterol.
Many companies have begun using the ingredient in a variety of products, relying on better-for-you marketing to relay its benefits. Herbal Lodge, Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company, Birch Boys, and other vendors on Amazon all offer a tea product that features chaga mushrooms.
Chaga mushrooms also contain several bioactive substances that clinical trials are studying to determine their effectiveness, so the medicinal mushroom ingredient is expected to grow even more in coming years, the report said.
North America and East Asia account for close to half of worldwide sales of chaga mushrooms, according to the report. And the powder form is widely preferred and leads overall product sales by far, with organic variants being more widely demanded.
Currently, the sports nutrition space is expected to drive sales of the novel ingredient. But more companies are incorporating it into teas as well.
The high cost of the ingredient is expected to be a challenge for growth, the report said. Other challenges include side effects from excessive consumption like allergic reactions. Also, consumers who are insulin-dependent are advised not to consume it.
The increased focus among consumers to live healthier lifestyles, however, will propel chaga mushrooms to growth in the coming years. In recent years, there has been a shift in consumer sentiment on the functional foods field as well as a positive outlook in personal care.
Key players in the chaga mushroom-based industry are setting the standards to ensure product quality and relying on clinical trials to relay health benefits to consumers. Companies like Restorative Botanicals and Hangzhou Muhua Bio-Tech are laying the groundwork, according to the report.
