wild plants sustainable harvesting and trade in medicinal and aromatic plant species

Wild Devil's Claw extracted from the roots of Harpagophytum procumbens

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Wild plants

ethical, legal and sustainable trade in wild plants

Wild plants are often wildlife trade's most unrecognised commodity. Human wellbeing in both rural and urban areas the world over is inextricably tied to an incredibly diverse array of wild plant ingredients, used in food, drink, pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine, beauty, cosmetics and beyond.

Their collection, processing and trade supports millions of collectors, often from some of the most impoverished or marginalised communities in the world, and underpins a global industry worth hundreds of billions of US dollars. Although this "hidden harvest" receives little attention from the public, and is usually met with enthusiasm from an increasingly "organically-minded" consumer market, it is a wildlife trade that is in desperate need of increased attention, research and private sector commitments.

50k–70k

medicinal and aromatic plant species are estimated to be used globally, many of which harvested from the wild

60–90%

of medicinal and aromatic plant species in trade are wild collected

only 7%

of medicinal and aromatic plant species have been assessed against extinction threat criteria

1.3 billion kg

of botanical ingredients were exported by China in 2013 alone

~30,000

the number of plant species with well documented medicinal and aromatic uses

the Wild at Home

This TRAFFIC reports sets the scene for the trade in wild plants, exploring their global harvest, trade, and use throughout the world, and their place within our homes.

The sustainable harvest of wild plants can provide vital resources for poor people, as well as much-needed income. It can also provide holistic management for other species and ecosystems at large, creating a win-win situation for fauna, flora and human communities.

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Wild plant ingredients are everywhere, which is why it's an issue for all of us

what's the issue with wild plants?

Aside from being hidden from view yet widely consumed, the trade in wild plants is increasing rapidly, with very little attention given to its sustainability or traceability.

A snapshot of the wild plant trade, using a Customs code for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), HS1211, shows that global trade has increased from US$1.1 billion in 1999, to US$3 billion in 2015. The growth of "natural" and "organic" consumer demand will only add to this pressure on wild collected species and their ecosystems. Compounding the issue, the (sometimes intentional) complexity of global wild plant trade chains makes it difficult to track volumes and species, threatening their survival in the wild, the wider wildlife that depend on them, and the livelihoods of local collectors.

Schisandra berries, often know as the "five flavour" berry, is wild collected in China and used in traditional medicines and foodstuffs

opportunities and solutions for wild plants

sustainable management

A growing number of companies are realising that investing in sustainable management of wild plant harvesting and associated supply chains makes good business sense.

The FairWild Standard is leading market transformation through certification schemes and best practice guidelines, simultaneously engaging all those engaged with wild plants to ensure ethical and sustainable practices.

more about FairWild

alternative livelihoods

Sustainable, legal, and ethical wild plant harvesting can provide an alternative livelihood to poor or marginalised communities, providing both a source of income as well as an incentive to conserve natural landscapes.

There are thousands of communities the world over who have been harvesting plants from the wild for generations. Supporting these activities preserves invaluable traditional knowledge and engages local stakeholders in contributing to wider wildlife conservation.

The Samburu in Kenya collect wild frankincense resin, widely used throughout beauty and healthcare © Akroyd & Harvey / Conflicted Seeds

wildlife conservation

There are scores of examples of where sustainable management of wild plants provides an incentive to simultaneously maintain the habitat of other wildlife species and wider ecosystems.

In China, FairWild implementation of schisandra berry harvesting is helping to protect the forests of the Giant Panda. In India, a project between FairWild and Pukka Herbs Ltd. is protecting bibhitaki and haritaki trees, the nesting home of the charismatic Great Hornbill.

key species in trade

There are approximately 3,000 different species in global trade, with thousands more consumed locally the world over.

As a business or as a consumer, find out what wild plants are either in your supply chains or in your home, and check whether their sourcing and use is sustainable! With so many wild plants being used, we've developed a short list of key species to help get you started in your identification ...

What you can do