Requirement, feasibility and possible opportunities of determination of real tariff prices for non-wood herbal products

Abstract

Consistent with the changes and the increase in demand for the forests in the society, utilization of forest products became significant. Non-wood herbal products, which constitute a significant part among non-wood forestry products, is an important source of income for State Forest Enterprises and forestry industry in domestic and international markets, however non-wood herbal products are generally neglected in the Turkish forestry industry. Within the scope of the study, it was aimed to determine the income earned from the sales of Vaccinum sp., Arumitalicum, Galanthus woronowii and Cyclamen sp. species which are produced under the Sürmene State Forestry Enterprise management and the proportional distribution of these incomes between channel members. The share received from income of distribution channel members was determined by evaluating data obtained from Sürmene State Forestry Enterprise Production Tables and the records of a joint-stock company trading non-wood herbal products in Sürmene via percentage analysis method. In Turkey, an analysis of distribution of income among the members of non-wood herbal products distribution channels would reflect an unfair distribution. Most of the revenues are kept by wholesalers and especially retailers if present, while raw material producer State Forestry Enterprise and raw material gatherer forest villagers do not get their fair share. One of the major problems behind this is the low tariff prices. The extremely law tariff rates adversely affects the economic success of State Forestry Enterprise and active and productive use of resources by the enterprise. To resolve these problems, the actual tariff rates should be calculated for non-wood herbal products and the production and trade of these products should be conducted based on these rates and enforced policies should support rural development.