Nordic Wild Berry R&D Network
Coordinator: Rainer Peltola, LUKE, rainer.peltola(a)luke.fi
Photo: Rainer Peltola
Global changes are reshaping forest management, driven by increasing demands and environmental crises. Nordic forests, rich in Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) such as wild berries, face underdeveloped utilization of this resource. Despite their cultural significance, only 2-10% of wild berry yields are harvested annually, leading to raw material shortages for industries. To unlock the potential of wild berries, interdisciplinary R&D is needed, focusing on berry-related economics, ecology, physiology, nutrition, sensory properties, genetics and forest management.
Nordic Wild Berry Research Network aims to facilitate mutual knowledge exchange and address challenges related to berries, both wild and cultivated, as these overlap and intertwine. Forest multiuse, half-cultivation and domestication of wild berries are seen as solutions, challenging traditional bioeconomy chains and promoting local value creation and entrepreneurship.
The network will conduct a comprehensive survey in 2024, covering berry-related topics such as institutional policies, cultural significance, commercial use, domestication, sensory properties, health effects and research needs. The results will be communicated through country-specific webinars and a concluding workshop. The network envisions publishing a joint report with recommendations for future actions.
Expected actions and outcomes include country-specific webinars, a concluding workshop, a comprehensive report, publications in national newspapers, and mapping resource possibilities for research and development needs