Commercial and Non-Commercial Benefits of Serbian Forests

The present paper deals with the commercial and non-commercial benefits of Serbian forests based on officially published data, data available in existing studies, expert opinions and research data collected using one-to-one interviews on a representative sample.In the first section of the paper the basic characteristics of Serbian forests are described in terms of general data, which are then used in the second section to estimate the total economic value (TEV) in 2007. To obtain the TEV, the forestry-related values are classified in use and non-use values based on the various subgroups of products and services. For the product and service valuations either domestic or international prices were applied. The results are shown in three potential scenarios, each yielding a different TEV estimate: 1) based on existing data, 2) based on additional inputs from experts and 3) based on estimates and assumptions derived from existing studies. Undoubtedly, wood is the most important forest product in Serbia, as it contributes between 42% and 90% to the TEV depending on the specific scenario.The results of the paper are intended to help improve general awareness for the totality of benefits of Serbia’s forests. By providing an overview in terms of both commercial and non-commercial value, the authors furthermore hope to assist Serbian decision makers in finding the mix of policies which will best support the nation’s forests in the future