Non-timber forest product
Non-timber products are all products of the forest, with the exception of (tree ) wood, so fungi, animals and plants. They are mainly used as food, feed, medicinal plants or renewable raw materials such as construction materials.
Importance in Central Europe
Under the conditions of production of felling high forest in Central Europe, the economic importance of these products is very low. Often these products from forestry operations will not be sold, because the effort is not worthwhile, or because the gratuitous use for private consumption is set by law by anyone. On the other hand, these products represent an untapped economic potential, their targeted production and demarcation can provide farmers with important sources of income and employment. Much of the non-timber products harvested from private households and consumed without being traded in markets, and so fulfills important functions of satisfying needs at local level.
Importance worldwide
On the other hand are about 150 non-timber products for the international market of interest, including rattan, bamboo, cork, rubber, nuts, honey, meat, fruits, mushrooms, resins, spices, oils, medicinal plants such as ginseng and those used as the basis for dyes serve. Also plant fibers such as coconut are used for industrial purposes. The trade is worth about 11.1 billion U.S. dollars annually. 60 % are exported by developing countries to the EU, the USA and Japan. China is a leader in world trade, but India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brazil are also important producing countries in the world market.
A particularly geared to the production of non-wood products forestry system is agro-forestry in the tropics, which is suitable under certain circumstances as a tool for competitive sustainable management of forests.