Agribusiness Strategy: Adding Value to the Mushroom Value Chain

Abstract

Strategy should begin with the understanding of customer needs which can be determined through perceptions of channel partners or direct research. In line with this, the study conducts a qualitative value chain audit of the mushroom industry with a view to understanding priorities. Structured and semi-structured interviews were conducted with value chain players of the 'mushroom growers and export association'. Value chain participants prioritised changing customer
perceptions to improve demand, and to grow the market through penetration and the management of factors that influence the marketing mix, and the provision of quality inputs to improve production and influence the need to address the problem of access to finance and a strong association that advocates for matters of the industry. The study concludes that qualitative value chain analysis of participants' perspectives provides the means for understanding of priority activities for value creation. The study recommends further quantitative value chain analysis that measures the actual value that prioritised value chain activities could generate.

Keywords: Agribusiness; mushroom; value chain, strategy, qualitative.