Unlocking the potential of non-timber forest products: insights from the acorn and the pine nut value chains in Portugal

Acorn ( Quercus spp.) and pine nut ( Pinus pinea L.) value chains in Portugal reflect contrasting development paths of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Using a mixed-methods approach, combining stakeholder surveys, participatory workshops, and literature review, our study analyzes their structure, governance, and challenges. We map the network of actors and activities, highlighting key bottlenecks in both value chains. We found that the pine nut chain is industrialized and commercially consolidated but faces persistent issues such as yield variability, price volatility, and limited innovation. In contrast, the acorn chain remains largely artisanal, constrained by underdeveloped processing infrastructure and scalability barriers, but driven by cultural values and grassroots innovation. In terms of governance models, pine nuts operate within top-down, actor-driven systems, while acorns are shaped by bottom-up, community-led initiatives embedded in territorial identity. Our findings highlight that these NTFP value chains function within broader socio-ecological systems, shaped by land-use histories and cultural contexts. We suggest that for unlocking their full potential it is required adaptive governance, cross-sector collaboration, and investment in innovation. Supporting such integrated value chains could enhance rural livelihoods and a transition to a bio-based economy.