Although the development of and debate on forest certification currently focuses on wood products, certification is also relevant to non-wood forest products (NWFP). While discussions on NWFP certification have increased recently, the applicability and impact of certification as a tool to promote the sustainable use of NWFP remains unclear and less debated. This paper aims at contributing to this discussion by analysing the status of certification of three wellknown NWFP using case studies from their main exporting countries: brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) in Bolivia, sheabutter (Vitellaria paradoxa) in Ghana and devil’s claw (Harpagophytum spp.) in Namibia. For this purpose, the principle production systems and producers as well as the trade in and markets for the products have been investigated. In addition, the actual and potential use of forest management, organic, social and product quality certification have been analysed. All three case studies have shown that trade in certified NWFP is still marginal compared to the trade of non-certified products.

Type of Case
Printed publication (book, sourcebook, journal article…)

Publisher
FAO, CRIAA SA-DC and TRAFFIC Europe

Region
Africa, Americas

Biome
Temperate, Tropical

Forest Type
All forest types (natural and planted)

Primary Designated Function
All