28 November, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. In the Vitebsk region, only 5% of the exploitable wild mushroom and berry stocks are harvested, the Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection informed a BELTA correspondent. According to the committee, the biological reserves of berries and mushrooms amount to approximately 44 thousand tonnes and 11 thousand tonnes, respectively. Ecologists believe that the region has the potential to increase wild fruit processing capacities without detriment to nature. As reported by the Vitebsk Regional Union of Consumer Societies, all district consumer societies have permits for the harvesting and procurement of wild plants. To carry out harvesting activities within the regional union system, 171 receiving and procurement points are operational, with 270 harvesters employed. Furthermore, procurement of produce is carried out by 1520 retail outlets located in rural areas. To incentivise the public, procurement prices for wild berries have been increased. In each district, wild berries are frozen for subsequent export and sale within the Union's own retail network. For instance, out of the 416.7 tonnes of bilberries and blueberries harvested, 313.1 tonnes (75.1%) have been exported, 87.5 tonnes have been shipped for processing to industrial enterprises, including 67.7 tonnes to JSC "Vitebsk Fruit and Vegetable Processing Plant", and 14.9 tonnes have been sold through the retail network. Cooperators are considering the implementation of new technologies for processing and storing wild fruits, which will allow for an increase in the volume of raw materials harvested. -0-

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