Collection and consumption of non-wood forest products in Europe

Abstract Many non-wood forest products (NWFPs) such as mushrooms and berries are collected consumed in Europe; but both national statistical scientific data on this topic reported only for a limited number of countries, case-study areas. Without an adequate quantitative basis, their importance source food income, links to recreation cultural heritage, all under-valued forest-focused forest-related policies. In study, we aimed address gap by assessing the consumption collection NWFPs through statistically representative survey 28 European countries with over 17 000 respondents. Our results show that 90 per cent households consume about one-quarter collects them. The rates, well contribution household increase from west east Europe. vast majority fresh. Households higher income more diverse range NWFPs, especially Western relation between is ambiguous, there some indication rate than average among higher-income North Europe lower-income Eastern South-Eastern which NWFP main predominantly located Europe, they focus activities few key products. also identify recreational, hobby professional collectors whose characteristics vary across socio-economic variables geographical gradient. Recreational Southern collect 8 kg five different products, while recreational Central-Eastern North-Baltic four times 10 Hobby ~100 year half ton, where groups 8–12 Professional We end study pointing future research directions series policy recommendations how could be addressed along geographical, urban–rural gradient respect role source.