Introduction
The mushroom industry in India is growing faster than ever before. From urban rooftops to commercial farms, everyone is exploring this high-income, low-investment business. But a common question arises in every entrepreneur’s mind —
“Which mushroom is the best to cultivate — Button, Oyster, or Shiitake?”
Each mushroom has its own market, climate requirement, profitability, and investment level. Choosing the right one is the key to success.
In this blog, we’ll compare Button, Oyster, and Shiitake mushrooms on every parameter — investment, yield, market price, setup cost, technology, and profit — and help you decide which one suits your region, your pocket, and your ambition.
Button Mushroom: India’s White Gold
Overview
Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is India’s most popular variety — cultivated commercially in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, UP, and Tamil Nadu.
It dominates more than 70% of India’s total mushroom market and is sold fresh, canned, and processed for export.
Setup & Investment
- Requires a controlled environment unit with proper humidity and cooling.
- Composting yard, pasteurization tunnels, and cold storage are essential.
- Ideal temperature: 14–18°C
- Initial investment: ₹6–8 lakh for a 1000-tray unit (basic setup).
Profit & Market
- Yield: 15–20 kg per 100 trays.
- Market Price: ₹100–150/kg (fresh).
- Ideal for: Corporate farms, large FPOs, investors, and high-yield projects.
- Government support: MIDH, NHB & PM-FME provide 35–50% subsidy.
Expert Tip (from Mushroomguru):
Button mushroom farming is best for areas with cool climate or where cold-chain and composting facility can be established. For long-term profits, integrate spawn lab + compost yard + fresh packing unit.
Oyster Mushroom: The Beginner’s Gem
Oyster (Pleurotus spp.) is the simplest and most forgiving mushroom — perfect for beginners, rural entrepreneurs, SHGs, and women farmers.
It grows on agricultural waste (wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, sawdust), making it an excellent waste-to-wealth enterprise.
Setup & Investment
- Requires only a simple grow room with humidity (80–90%) and temperature around 25–30°C.
- Can be grown on racks or hanging bags.
- Investment: ₹25,000 – ₹1 lakh for 500–1000 bags (low-cost model).
Profit & Market
- Yield: 1 kg per bag on average.
- Market Price: ₹120–180/kg (fresh); ₹600–800/kg (dried).
- Ideal for: Rural youth, SHGs, FPO clusters, and small startups.
- Training duration: 3–5 days enough to start.
Expert Tip (from Mushroomguru):
Oyster mushroom is the best entry-level mushroom — quick return, minimal setup, and high market acceptability.
Combine fresh sales with value addition (drying, powdering, snacks) for better margins.
Shiitake Mushroom: The Premium Global Variety
As India’s most experienced mushroom technology company, Krishigence Pvt. Ltd. offers:
- Feasibility Reports & DPRs (for all mushroom types)
- Turnkey Project Setup – Spawn Labs, Compost Yards, Cultivation Rooms, Cold Chain, Packaging, and Value Addition Units
- Training & Skill Development Programs
- Spawn & Substrate Quality Testing
- Processing, Drying, Canning, and Branding Consultancy
- Market Linkages, Branding & Sales Support
So whether you’re in Chennai, Punjab, or Nagaland, Krishigence can design a profitable, scalable mushroom enterprise tailored to your goals.
