By Kenneth Marcos 
In a move that aims to help local mushroom farmers and businesses, the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) has released a new product standard for oyster mushrooms.
The newly approved Philippine National Standard (PNS) on Oyster Mushrooms — Product Standard — Grading and Classification (PNS/BAFS 409:2025) provides clear guidelines on how to classify and grade fresh oyster mushrooms for the market. The standard focuses on commercial varieties of the Pleurotus species, commonly known as oyster mushrooms, which are grown for fresh consumption. Industrial processing mushrooms are not included under this standard.
The standard was developed by DA-BAFS in partnership with a Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of experts from agriculture, food science, and the mushroom industry. It follows the formatting and editorial rules of the DA-BAFS Standards Development Division (SDD) Standardization Guide, ensuring consistency and clarity in grading and classification.
According to DA-BAFS, the new standard is designed to help farmers and suppliers improve product quality and meet consumer expectations. It provides guidelines on size, appearance, texture, and other quality parameters. By following these standards, local mushroom producers can offer more consistent and marketable products, potentially increasing income and reducing waste from substandard produce.
Oyster mushrooms are a growing sector in Philippine agriculture, prized for their nutritional value and versatility in local cuisine. With the new PNS, the government hopes to boost domestic production, enhance food safety, and make it easier for local products to compete in both domestic and export markets.
Farmers and suppliers are encouraged to adopt the new standard to ensure their mushrooms meet national quality requirements. Officials say this is a step toward strengthening the country’s mushroom industry and supporting the livelihoods of small and medium-scale producers.
The launch of this PNS highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to standardize agricultural products, improve market access, and support Filipino farmers in producing safe, high-quality food.
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