Non-Wood Forest Products: History and State in Circular-Bioeconomy of Bulgaria

Abstract

This work examine the inclusion of NWFR and their role in the country's economy. Data from the annual reports of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) and the Forestry Executive Agency (FEA), from the National Statistical Institute (NSI), statistics from the UN (Comtrade), from Eurostat and other sources of information (scientific studies, FAO publications, etc.) are used. In Bulgaria, the organized collection and use of NWFP has been a livelihood for many people for more than a century. Тhe paper analyzed utilization of the most important NWFP harvested from the forests in the period 2001-2022 and their participation in the national and international trades. The brief review of the state and trends in the use of NWFP shows that   Bulgaria there is a tendency of a permanent decrease in the use and income from NWFP in forestry during the period 2001 - 2022. At the same time there are significant reserves of unused NWFR, which indicates that there is a great opportunity to expand the use of NWFR and to increase the income of the forestry enterprises. Considering the potential and problems of the forest sector in Bulgaria, it is clear that the domestic demand and international markets of some NWFP (medicinal plants, wild mushrooms, some kinds of forest fruits, etc.) represent a significant opportunity for the forest bioeconomy and offer a chance for improving the supply of NWFP and supporting income generation in rural areas. The production of advanced products and materials on a biological basis with high value and the utilization of the hidden potential of NWFP represent key opportunities for the development of the bioeconomy in Bulgaria.