Non-wood forest products in Northwest Russia

Non-wood forest products (mushrooms, berries and medicinal raw materials) are of great importance in North and North-West Russia. Being rich in non-wood forest resources, these regions account for some 10% of the total stock of Russia. The regions are characterised by a favourable ecological situation, the availability of labour and by large domestic and external markets. This article describes the legislative regulations relating to non-wood forest products and their accounting systems, and contains data on resources and the harvesting of mushrooms, berries and medicinal raw materials. The reasons for the reduction in the amount of non-wood forest products harvested are analysed and the prospects for the development of this forest use are outlined.