Silang: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced its support for the establishment of the Philippines' first modern enoki mushroom facility in Silang, Cavite. This initiative is part of the department's 'import substitution' policy, aiming to reduce reliance on imports by promoting local production through the Filipino-owned and highly automated facility operated by Basic Necessity Inc.
According to Philippines News Agency, the move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to stimulate investments in the agriculture sector. Enoki mushrooms were highlighted as a potential export commodity during his fifth State of the Nation Address. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the importance of expanding local production to meet the significant domestic demand, which currently exceeds 6,000 metric tons annually.
"We have a large domestic market that is still supplied by imports. Once local demand is met, we see opportunities to export to markets such as Singapore and the Middle East," Laurel stated. In 2025, the Philippines imported 6,536 metric tons of fresh mushrooms, with formal commercial mushroom imports accounting for 95 percent of the market.
Agriculture Undersecretary for High-Value Crops, Cheryl Marie Caballero, noted that supporting local enoki mushroom production through import substitution could enhance economic opportunities and create jobs. The facility is expected to employ approximately 50 workers and provide additional livelihood opportunities for farmers supplying agricultural biomass and other raw materials.
"This is not just about producing mushrooms. It is about building a local industry that creates jobs, supports farmers supplying agricultural biomass, and transforms materials that previously had little economic value into productive inputs," Caballero explained. The facility utilizes about 5 tons of agrowastes per week from corn cobs and rice hulls as mushroom substrates.
Furthermore, the investment has resulted in more affordable local enoki mushrooms, now retailing at PHP29.75, significantly lower than the previous price of PHP80 per 200 grams. The Silang facility features controlled-environment cultivation, processing, packing, cold storage, and refrigerated distribution, ensuring freshness, food safety, and product traceability. Enoki mushrooms are gaining popularity locally, especially in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and hotpot cuisine, and are recognized as a nutrient-dense food that can help address malnutrition.
In related news, the University of the Philippines Los Ba±os has identified ten standout purple yams from 188 greater yam accessions across the country. This research is part of efforts to boost the ube industry, which is gaining global recognition. Villasis 2 and Kinampay were highlighted for their significant yield and flavor, respectively. The DA is also working to support local ube farmers and advance Geographical Indication (GI) efforts to enhance global export opportunities for the industry.
