Stalker was interested to read the article that appeared this month on www.freshinfo.com, entitled Magic Returns to Mushroom Industry.
As identified in the article there isn't much magic about in the Irish mushroom industry at present.
Even though prices have eventually turned from the minimum point and are currently good, with a recent surge in demand too auguring well for summer prices, there is still gloom on the horizon. Costs, as for every sector, are going up, with no sign of abating - oil specifically being a worry, with predictions that it might reach $95 a barrel.
Some top economists believe that $83 - $84 a barrel is potentially a tipping point that could tip the US, and consequently the world, into recession.
The weather too is playing havoc with all things agricultural this summer; there are worries that the straw harvest this year will be even worse than last - thus precipitating a further crisis in the mushroom industry.
The local industry could be in for another bumpy ride in the medium term - we can only wait and see what happens.
The industry needs demand akin to that which attaches to the Harry Potter phenomenon - then the magic may just return.
