22 April 2022 Demand for wild plant ingredients is growing rapidly, having grown by over 75 percent in value over the past two decades. Thousands of harvested species are at risk mainly from a combination of overharvest and habitat loss: of the 21 percent of medicinal and aromatic plant species whose threat status has been assessed, 9 percent are considered threatened with extinction.This report aims to address these challenges by making information on a selection of ‘flagship’ wild plant ingredients, the Wild Dozen, readily available and easy to understand. Along with a broader update on the state of wild plants trade, the report provides a ‘profile’ on each of the Wild Dozen species, summarising key facts on production and trade. [more]

8 June 2019 Living in and from the forests of Central Africa is intended first and foremost as a full-scale extension tool concerning NWFPs in Central Africa. It is a work on the groups who have always lived in these forests, forests that contribute to every aspect of their daily lives, both material and spiritual, and enable them to survive even in periods of extreme crisis. The book is divided into seven parts. The first gives an overview of Central Africa and NWFPs, while the second shows how animal and plant NWFPs contribute to the food and nutritional security of forest people. [more]

4 June 2018 This report compares the international statistics on non-wood forest products (NWFPs) by review-ing the three main international statistical classifications: the Harmonized System (HS), the Central Product Classification (CPC) and the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC). It discusses specific issues in linking major NWFPs across the three reference systems, as well as how countries deal with these issues. It proposes ways for improving the international classification sys-tems and presents some of their main NWFPs. Each product group is fully described in the annex-es, which provide information on where it is situated in the existing international classifications, as well as production and international trade data sources. [more]

13 May 2013 Edible insects have always been a part of human diets. In this publication, we show the contribution that insects make to diversifying diets and improving food security. We also hope to raise awareness of the many valuable roles that insects play in sustaining nature and human life. [more]

1 March 2011 Tropical palms, originally published in 1998, has been updated in 2010 by the author to include the most recent information and developments regarding the conservation status and use of various tropical palm species. The deteriorating conservation status of several tropical palm species, particularly in the rattan group, as well as recent developments regarding the use of palm products in the food, bioenergy and fibre processing industries, for example, required a thorough review of the first edition. [more]

28 August 2009 This guide discusses the services provided by bees and the sustainable harvesting, processing and marketing of their products. [more]

1 October 2004 This paper discusses some traditional and contemporary uses of fungi as food or in medicine. This material is presented for information only and does not imply endorsement by the author or by FAO. Use of these products is not recommended unless taken under the care and guidance of a qualified expert or physician. Reports of edible and poisonous species are based on named sources. The accuracy of this information lies with these original sources. [more]

1 July 2002 This paper discusses some traditional and contemporary uses of non-wood products from trees and shrubs in medicine. [more]

1 January 2001 This is a resource for people who want to know more about inventory for measuring and planning management of non-wood forest products (NWFPs). This publication is intended as reference material for practitioners considering inventory of NWFP resources. [more]

1 December 1995 The objective of this paper is to provide a global review of the non-wood uses of conifers. For the purposes of this paper, conifers are defined as trees and shrubs of the botanical orders Coniferales , Taxales and Ginkgoales (Rushforth 1987). [more]

1 November 1995 This volume on medicinal plants links together the physical environments of local communities and their use of plants in promoting and maintaining their health. Medicinal plants form the basis of traditional or indigenous health systems used, in the estimate of the World Health Organization, by the majority of the population of most developing countries. [more]

1 September 1995 This study provides information on restrictions facing the international trade in NWFPs. International trade in NWFPs, as that in most other products, is controlled and regulated by various trade measures. A wide array of these exists and their nature, significance, extent and impact vary considerably from nation to nation and product to product. [more]

1 June 1995 Many thousands of plant species yield gums, resins or latexes, and probably several hundreds are utilized to produce items of trade, either local or international. Of these, 22 are the subject of this report, discussing description and uses, world supply and demand trends, plant sources, collection/primary processing, value-added processing, and developmental potential. [more]

1 April 1995 The number of colourants and dyestuffs found in nature are enormous. While some of them are fairly well-known, many of them are not commercially important. To provide a comprehensive coverage of all the plants and animals providing colourants and dyestuffs is a very difficult task. This publication attempts to provide only a representative selection of plants and insects yielding colourants and dyestuffs. Its purpose is to give an indication of the wide-ranging sources of natural colourants and dyestuffs and to encourage further research and studies relating to this group of products. [more]

1 January 1995 Information is provided on the technical and economic aspects of crude resin production from pine trees and on the subsequent production of gum turpentine and gum rosin (known commercially as gum naval stores). Recent trends in world production and markets are also reviewed. The publication is aimed at prospective new producers of gum naval stores, and organizations and individuals appraising projects involving their production. It is particularly intended for those in developing countries. [more]