Wild Mushrooms as a Source of Protein: A Case Study from Central Europe, Especially the Czech Republic

Wild mushroom foraging has a long tradition, especially in the region of Central Europe. Wild mushrooms are a valuable food resource, as they provide nutritional benefits to the European population. They offer a relatively high content of protein and are traditionally used in many European cuisines as a substitute for meat. This is particularly true in times of crisis, such as wars and pandemics. The study presented in this paper shows that wild mushrooms can substitute around 0.2 percent of daily protein intake and contribute around 3% to the agricultural output of the Czech economy, which was selected as a representative for Central Europe. The calculated real price of wild mushrooms indicates their increasing popularity as a source of food protein in Central Europe, while their price seems to be independent of the quantity supplied.

Automated summary

Wild mushroom foraging is a long-standing tradition in Central Europe, offering nutritional benefits and serving as a substitute for meat in European cuisines. This study reveals that wild mushrooms can contribute to daily protein intake and the agricultural output of the Czech economy, indicating their popularity as a food protein source in Central Europe. Interestingly, the price of wild mushrooms seems to be unaffected by the quantity supplied.