The herbal raw material purchase in the natural state in the commune of Hajnówka

ROBERT GRUSZECKI

Katedra Warzywnictwa i Roślin Leczniczych, Wydział Ogrodnictwa i Architektury Krajobrazu, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. S. Leszczyńskiego 58, 20-068 Lublin

MICHAŁ RYBIŃSKI

Katedra Warzywnictwa i Roślin Leczniczych, Wydział Ogrodnictwa i Architektury Krajobrazu, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. S. Leszczyńskiego 58, 20-068 Lublin

Abstract

Plant collection in the natural state is still an important source of herbal raw material. In the Hajnówka province, the value of herbs harvested in this way is at a similar level to that obtained from field cultivation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the purchase volume and prices offered for herbal raw material harvested in the natural state at the collection point located in Hajnówka (Podlaskie District) in 2012–2016. Mainly fresh herbs were purchased (63.5%). The purchase volume of raw materials obtained from the natural state showed a downward trend, which ranged from 1056.6 dt in 2013 to 512.5 dt in 2016. There were observed cyclical fluctuations in the amount of purchased herbal raw materials. There were also large fluctuations in the prices of raw materials in the analyzed years. Only the prices of a few herbal raw materials were stable (Lamii albi herba – fresh, Ribis nigri folium – fresh, Taraxaci folium – fresh), but in the case of Allii ursini folium (fresh) the maximum price was even five times higher than the lowest. The presented data indicate a tendency to reduce the amount of raw material obtained from the natural state, even from areas as little changed by humans as the commune of Hajnówka.

Keywords:

herbs, price, fresh raw material, dry herbs, Białowieża