Other forest products

Valuing the diverse bounty of our forests
Close shot of a rubber tyre

Certification that goes beyond timber

At the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), we strive to make sure everything the forest has to offer is sourced in a way that’s good for forests and people. That’s why we’re constantly expanding our certification to cover an array of forest-based products like cork, nuts, rubber, and more. Many of these products, known as non-timber forest products (NTFPs), can be harvested without cutting down trees, generating new sources of income while keeping forests intact. This means NTFPs can support the livelihoods of smallholders and communities while contributing to the sustainable management of the forests from which they originate.

iStock.com / BartekSzewczyk
fsc certified cork
FSC / All wine corks are certified
Aerial view of a forest
FSC / Milan Reška

NTFPs by the numbers

Close shot of honeycomb
iStock.com / Iana Miroshnichenko

60+

Number of NTFPs certified by FSC

40+

Number of countries producing FSC-certified NTFPs

12+ million

Number of FSC-certified hectares globally, including NTFPs

Bullberry plant
FSC / Milan Reška_

Putting people first with FSC certification

Many FSC-certified NTFPs are harvested and traded by local communities and smallholder farmers living in or around forest areas. These products include:

  • Bamboo, bark, pinecones, and seeds
  • Fish, fruit, venison, and mushrooms
  • Honey, cinnamon, maple syrup, and tea
  • Natural gums, resins, oils, and wax
  • Natural rubber, cork, and rattan 
     

Interested in certifying your NTFPs?

Learn more about certifying products that come from your forest.

If you’re ready to explore the benefits of FSC certification for a local NTFP, contact the FSC team nearest you.
Find your local team →
FSC certified natural rubber
FSC

Pioneering a new approach to natural rubber

Natural rubber is one of the most popular NTFPs, used in everything from car tyres to shoe soles. See how FSC certification in the natural rubber industry is helping prevent deforestation and create a better work environment for smallholders.

Learn more →

Three key NTFPs: bamboo, cork, and nuts

We’ve identified three high-value NTFPs with the potential to make a big difference for local communities and smallholders.

We’re working closely with communities and supply chains to improve environmental conditions and market access.

Bamboo toothbrush with FSC label
FSC / All wood and bamboo products are certified

Bamboo

Bamboo has a variety of ecological and economic benefits. It’s an effective carbon sink and its hollow stems retain water to prevent desertification during dry spells.  

Harvested bamboo is used in furniture, textiles, paper, and more. Once harvested, it regenerates quickly, providing a steady income for farmers. 

Primary regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Africa, Southeast Asia, China, and India 

Cork with FSC logo
FSC / Arturo Escobar

Cork

Cork-oak bark is regenerative and debarked cork trees can absorb three to five times more carbon dioxide than non harvested trees.1    

Cork’s insulative and moisture-wicking properties make it useful for a variety of products, like wine-bottle stoppers, flooring, shoes, yoga mats, and as the core of baseballs and cricket balls.  

Primary regions: Mediterranean countries, primarily Portugal and Spain 

FSC certified  Brazilian Chestnuts
FSC / Kitchenware (H&M Home)

Nuts

Global demand for tree nuts—including almonds, pistachios, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, and cashews—has increased dramatically over the past decade as more consumers look for healthy and convenient food options.  

Primary regions: Depending on the type of nut, the origin can range from tropical to temperate regions, from deserts to rainforests. 

Sustainable forestry in action

See how FSC certification is protecting forests and people with three producers of major NTFPs.

Longtai Bamboo, China

Longtai Bamboo started as a manufacturer of bamboo cutting boards. 
It was doing some international trade, but quickly ran into a problem; its products could not meet export requirements. That’s where FSC came in. Longtai was able to achieve FSC certification for its factory and bamboo forests and has expanded to become a supplier for global home-furnishing brands.

As the business developed, it gradually invested in modern factory equipment and hired more workers from nearby villages. Now, Longtai employs 500 workers across two factories. In accordance with FSC certification standards, all Longtai employees receive stable, fair wages and are protected by robust health and safety protocols. In addition to the certified forest areas used for production, Longtai and FSC designated high conservation value areas, which are kept free from logging to preserve the beauty of these important spaces. 

Associação de Produtores Florestais do Concelho de Coruche e Limítrofes (APFC), Portugal

APFC is a private forest owners’ association in central Portugal. Industry interest in certified natural-cork stoppers led some APFC members to explore FSC certification for their forests. APFC technicians worked side by side with forest owners to create a group certification called APFCertifica. The group began with four members managing roughly 6,500 hectares and has since grown to cover 45,458 hectares.

APFCertifica members have seen improved market access and other economic benefits from the sale of FSC-certified products.

Soenama

Soenama is an association of Paiter Suruí Indigenous Peoples from Cacoal City, Rondonia Estate in the Amazon region. With the help of funding and technical support from Imafora, Soenama was able to achieve FSC certification to sustainably collect, process, and sell babassu products and Brazil nuts, both of which are traditional food staples in the region. FSC certification has enabled Soenama association members to modernize their forest management and business practices while preserving their cultural traditions for future generations.