CECAEN Rev 3
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Group 023

Collection of non-wood forest products

This category includes activities of gathering, harvesting and collecting non-wood forest products that grow spontaneously in forests and natural areas. Entrepreneurs can collect mushrooms, berries, medicinal plants or other non-wood vegetative resources directly from spontaneous flora, without the need for prior cultivation.

Included Activities & Applicability

  • ✅ Gathering of wild mushrooms
  • ✅ truffles and berries Harvesting of medicinal and aromatic plants from spontaneous flora Collection of lichens
  • ✅ mosses and wild algae Extraction of natural resins and other plant exudates

Excluded Activities & Restrictions

  • ❌ Cultivation of medicinal
  • ❌ aromatic plants and mushrooms (agriculture) Forestry and logging (NACE 021-022) Production of medicinal plant preparations or food supplements

Subordinate Structure

0230 Collection of non-wood forest products from spontaneous flora
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Detailed Analysis & Commercial Insights

Industry of Non-Wood Forest Products Collection from Spontaneous Flora

The collection of non-wood forest products from spontaneous flora is a traditional branch of the Romanian economy, deeply rooted in the natural resources of forests and mountainous areas. In Romania, this activity has seen significant growth in the last decade, driven by increasing demand for organic, natural and ecological products both domestically and for export. Edible mushrooms (porcini, chanterelles, truffles), berries (bilberries, blackberries, raspberries) and medicinal plants (chamomile, St. John's wort, dandelion) are just a few examples of the richness offered by spontaneous flora. The macroeconomic importance of this sector lies in the sustainable valorization of renewable resources, contributing to rural development and the income of populations in forest areas. Responsible collection also supports biodiversity conservation and maintaining ecological balance. The niche has evolved through gradual professionalization: from an occasional subsistence activity, it has transformed into a sector with specialized players investing in logistics, storage and organic certification. Key challenges for entrepreneurs include strong seasonality, yield fluctuations depending on climatic conditions, and difficult access to forest land. Moreover, legislation on harvesting and marketing these products is complex, involving permits from forestry authorities and compliance with sanitary hygiene standards. Nonetheless, export potential to EU markets (Germany, France, Italy) remains high, and digitalization of supply chains opens new opportunities for those wishing to develop innovative businesses based on the non-wood resources of Romanian forests.