Felicia RAIA (Suceava Forestry Directorate) at FERM 2025: “Forest berries are not just a tradition, but also an economic opportunity for mountain communities”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Mountain Economy – Sustainable Development and Valorization of Local Resources
Speaker:
Eng. Felicia Raia – representative of the Suceava Forestry Directorate
Topic of the presentation:
“Forest Berries – A Bio Resource for Mountain Areas”
Eng. Felicia Raia, representative of the Suceava Forestry Directorate, provided a comprehensive and insightful perspective on the importance of non-timber forest resources – especially forest berries and mushrooms – highlighting not only their immediate economic value but also their essential contribution to preserving local traditions, maintaining ecological balance, and supporting a sustainable lifestyle in mountain communities.
Sadova – a center with a tradition in collecting and processing natural resources
“The mountain area is very well represented by natural riches: forest berries, mushrooms, medicinal plants,” emphasized Felicia Raia.
She mentioned that in the town of Sadova, a center for the collection and primary processing of berries and mushrooms has been operating since 1963.
“In the 1970s, we processed up to 200 tons of mushrooms, 200 tons of raspberries, and 100 tons of blueberries annually”
In 2000, in response to increasing market demand, the center was modernized, and the Suceava Forestry Directorate began offering frozen forest berries, a value-added product with an extended shelf life.
A well-organized production chain: from gatherers to exporters
The forest fund managed by the Suceava Forestry Directorate exceeds 338,000 hectares, allowing the collection of significant quantities of wild berries.
“We have 23 forestry districts, a seasonal storage capacity of 200 tons, 4 thawing towers, 2 pre-cooling warehouses, and 3 freezing warehouses”
Harvesting is supervised by forestry personnel and carried out under strict safety conditions.
“Collection is done mainly by the local population, especially vulnerable families, for whom this represents an important source of income. These are families with tradition, who know the areas and species well”, she added.
Risks, challenges, and adaptations
The activity is not without challenges. Climate change has shifted ripening periods, and the risk of encountering wild animals – especially bears – is increasing.
“We recommend that gatherers notify the forester, as there are areas where bears cannot be seen in advance. It is important to prevent incidents”
Another major obstacle is the lack of workforce.
“Compared to 10–20 years ago, the number of people coming to harvest has visibly decreased. Even if we have stock, we do not always have people to collect it”
The market dictates: production fluctuations and diverse demand
The quantities harvested vary significantly from year to year, influenced by both weather conditions and market demand.
“Between 2020–2024, we harvested over 500 tons of berries, with a peak of 133 tons in 2021. In 2024, due to the lack of blueberries, the quantity was much lower”
“The market dictates. In one year raspberries are in demand, in another blueberries or rosehips, depending on the requirements of the food or pharmaceutical industry. Likewise, contracts concluded through auctions impose clear standards: precise pre-cooling and freezing temperatures, packaging, traceability”, she added.
From tradition to digitalization: new promotion directions
In addition to classical marketing methods, the Suceava Forestry Directorate intends to enter the digital space.
“In the coming years, we want to reintroduce online sales, on specialized platforms, to attract customers both domestically and internationally”
She emphasized the quality of the products.
“Our berries are organic, come from unpolluted areas, and support mountain families. They preserve the authentic taste as well as excellent pharmaceutical properties. The industry confirms their quality, but we, in turn, depend on nature and human resources”
Conclusion
Felicia Raia’s intervention aligned with the overall objective of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova: to valorize local resources, create bridges between administration, investors, and communities, and support sustainable development adapted to the regional context.
Non-timber forest resources – especially forest berries and mushrooms – can become a key pillar of the mountain circular economy, as long as they are managed intelligently and sustainably, for the benefit of local communities.
