Objective:
In the Italian forest sector, NWFPs play a fundamental role. In 2011, according to an estimation reported in State of Europe’s Forests , NWFPs were worth 57% more than roundwood. However, statistics on NWFPs sector are scarce and often unreliable. This study, developed in the context of the European project "Startree", represents the first attempt to describe the hidden market related to the mushroom sector in a specific Italian region (Trentino Alto-Adige).
Context:
Mushrooms constitute one of the main touristic attractions of Trentino Alto-Adige (TAA). In fact, many tourists every summer and autumn visit the Region for picking mushrooms, which is an activity regulated by a system of picking permits. In fact, tourists must pay a quota for every day they go picking, while the residents are exempted by the payment. Besides being a tourist attraction, mushrooms picking is a traditional activity for household consumption. At the supply side, in TAA, like nationally national level, the demand for mushrooms is continuously increasing. However, the majority of mushrooms sold by retailers comes from other countries, through a long supply chain, where big key wholesalers located in North Italy have a predominant role.
Contacts:
Enrico Vidale enrico.vidale@gmail.com ,
Riccardo da Re riccardo.dare@unipd.it ,
Giulia Corradini giulia.corradini@unipd.it
Further information:
Da Re R., Vidale E., Corradini G., Pettenella D. (2015). The regional markets of NWFP: current situation and effect on SME. Project deliverable D3.2. StarTree project (EU project 311919)