Forests in warmer seasons, especially for inhabitants of the countryside are an important source of additional income. This practise has a long tradition and it is rooted deep in the Latvian culture. Know-how of this tradition is transmitted through generations. This practise has two main branches - foraging for own consumption as a form of recreation and food production as well as foraging as a source for income for seasonal commercial benefits. Unless specifically not forbidden by the owner of the property foraging is permitted in all forests of the country without limitation. Only rules regarding foraging apply for ways how berries are picked, no combines are allowed to be used. And since around 50% of Latvia is covered in forests the ground for foraging is quite large.
Foraging and picking is an underestimated activity in the field of agriculture. It's very evident but still no concrete data exists that would approve the importance and measures of it. In official statistical data that was put together by VID it is cited that 12 tonnes of apples and pears are picked and that 9 tonnes of blueberries are picked approximately in one season. Because a lot of berries and mushrooms are sold illegally it is hard to know the exact number of how many of them are harvested each year.
Mushroom and berry picking for commercial purposes can be resold over industrial supply chains of production companies or reseller chains for retail markets in Western Europe – both to supply restaurants and supermarket chains. Buying up points for berries and mushrooms works for the whole territory of Latvia. VID (State Revenue Centre) has created a system where pickers don't have to pay any taxes up until they have earned 3000 euros in one season, out of fear to reach these 3000 euros through a lot of pickers are choosing to sell illegally.
During the harvesting season, mushroom picking championship is organised by Latvian Forest association. During this, anyone can participate, in a time of two hours in concrete territory participants have to harvest as many edible mushrooms as possible. The association is organising this event to keep the tradition of foraging still alive and to popularise the activity.
In the buying points only the most popular types of mushrooms are bought, like chanterelles and penny buns (king boletes). Compared to the berry buying where 10 berry types are accepted. One of the reasons for this is that it's easier to distinguish berry types from mushrooms. If in most cases it's possible to distinguish berries only from pictures then with mushrooms it's a bit different.
The Nature museum of Latvia every year is organizing a mushroom exhibition, where a huge variety of mushrooms is exposed. Of course every year it varies depending on weather conditions and how lucky the pickers are.
Approximately market for buying berries and mushrooms is about 5-15 millions large from which the third part is illegal or on black market. This of course varies depending on how prolific the season is.
Main species of mushrooms are: chanterelles, king boletes (Boletus edulis), ugly milk caps (Lactarius turpis), russulas (Hygrophorus russula).
Main species of berries are: wild blueberry, cranberries, cowberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), wild raspberries
When going to forest fire safety regulation should be taken in consideration. Out of roads and paths it is not allowed to use any transportation vehicles. Just anywhere else it is not allowed to throw trash or in any way disturb animals.