Norwegian wild berries – increased predictability and value creation

Wild berries are abundant in Norwegian forests and mountains, unfortunately, only 4-5% of everything that ripens is picked. WILDBERRIES' main objective was to produce R&D-based knowledge that would create the basis for improved utilization of Norwegian wild berries. WILDBERRIES focuses on lingonberries as this berry species has long traditions in Norway, contains many interesting substances, and has potential for innovation. In the first project year, suitable regions, and areas for establishing sample plots were identified. Plots were distributed equally among 7 locations spanning a wide geographical range from Pasvik in the north to Ås in the south. The locations also represented different forest conditions with respect to forest age, stand density, tree species composition, soil depth, as well as slope and terrain exposition. Flowering, number of berries, and total yields have been recorded each year during 2019-2022. Forest condition variables were recorded using the measurement protocol in the Norwegian National Forest Inventory (NFI)and lingonberry cover was assessed in all plots. Samples of ripe berries were harvested from all locations in the seasons 2019-2021 for quality analyses. Two models were developed from the available data. First, we prepared a model for lingonberry cover (abundance) using the Norwegian NFI data. Secondly, a model for lingonberry yield was derived using the yield data collected from the berry yield sample plots. To develop the maps identifying areas with suitable site- and forest conditions for lingonberries, the two models were combined. The optimal dominant forest height was found to be about 12 m, and the optimal summer (June-August) mean temperature was found to be 12–13 °C. The final model also describes a negative effect of canopy cover, especially that of understory, on lingonberry cover. Logically, south-, west- and especially southwest-facing slopes being dryer and warmer, better supported drought-resistant lingonberry compared to north-facing slopes. We also found that lingonberry cover was higher at the more southern and continental locations. Experiments conducted under controlled conditions indicated that both light intensity (reflecting forest density) and light quality (reflecting shading, but also differences in latitude) affected berry quality. In addition, results show that the composition of lingonberries is influenced by both the environment and the origin of the plants, with phenolic compounds mainly influenced by the growth temperature and that the profile of aromatic compounds is mainly influenced by plant origin. The effect of temperature on the stability of phenolic compounds and the color of lingonberry juice during thermal treatment and storage were investigated. Heat treatment typically employed in juice processing had no effect on the quality of lingonberry juice. However, heating at higher temperatures (85–95°C) for more than 10 min should be avoided. Anthocyanins, the red-colored compounds in lingonberries, were the least stable of the phenolic compounds quantified, and storage at low temperatures is necessary to preserve phenolic compounds and the color of berry juices. Traditionally, sucrose is added to mask the bitter and sour taste of lingonberry products. Juices sweetened with aspartame and a blend of aspartame and acesulfame K had comparable sensory descriptions as juices sweetened with sucrose. Sweeteners did not affect the stability of phenolic compounds and juice colour during thermal treatment and storage. The addition of ingredients that change the texture or aroma of the products like vanilla aroma increased sweet odor and taste of a lingonberry smoothie and the effect was increased with the addition of pectin. A survey of existing information from reports, market analysis, and interviews with Norwegian wholesalers and the processing industry, revealed high interest in Norwegian wild berries but there are challenges, especially with the supply of berries and high prices. Consequently, the opportunities will have to include high-priced products. High-valued products such as confectionery, therapeutic drinks, and high-end gifts for Asian markets with a demand for authenticity and purity were discovered as future possibilities. The industry believed in products with health benefits and wanted increased publicity about the positive properties of wild berries. In a co-creation workshop in the project, different products of wild berries made by a chief, and prototypes of lingonberry were evaluated. Most of the products, including smoothies, emulsions, jellies, and dried berries, were evaluated as having potential in the commercial market.

Predication models for both annual yield and quality have been devloped. The maps will be available on Kilden (https://kilden.nibio.no) and two scientific manuscripts are under preparations. In addition a Norwegian version of the Finnish "Berryobservations" platform (in Norwegian "Bærobservasjoner") are available as a prototype software at the NIBIO server. In this platform users can enter information on forest type, flowering and berry yields. The outcome of the maps and digital tools will enable both businesses and everyman to get information on promising picking areas and generate more awareness of wild berries. Quality analysis have given new knowlegde on how the quality varies with environmental factors in addition to geographical regions. This knowledge will have impact on further business developement. Innovative new products from lingonberries have been tested and processing and storage of lingonberry juice have been optimized. WILDBERRIES has created an increased interested for wild berries with numerous newspaper articles and interviews.

Woods and wilderness cover most of the land areas in Norway. These areas are abundant of valuable renewable resources, including wild berries. The demand for wild berries has increases dramatically due to health benefits and excellent taste. In our neighboring countries, wild berries are already a big industry. In Norway, the everyman's right allows picking of wild berries no matter who owns the land. Nevertheless, Norwegian wild berries are almost non-existent on the market, leaving the berries unexploited in the forests. One of the key challenges is the access to the berries in the Norwegian topography. The availability and quality of wild berry yield varies from year to year and from locations to location. By utilizing knowledge and modelling expertise from Finland, WILDBERRIES seek to develop tools to map areas with high yields and/or high quality of wild berries as well as getting new knowledge on key climatic conditions, which affect the yield. In order to utilize the wild crop commercially, it must be profitable. Due to high labor costs, Norwegian raw material cannot compete on product price. However, innovative solutions and new knowledge on quality aspects can open possibilities for innovation and value creation. Furthermore, to increase possible value creation, WILDBERRIES will enlighten innovation potential and new product opportunities. The focus will be on lingonberry and in selected high yielding areas. We believe that the knowledge will have high transfer value for other wild berry species and non-wood forest products. By interdisciplinary collaboration from start to the end of the value chain, WILDBERRIES seeks to meet the key challenges for an increased utilization on a renewable resource. In the time of bioeconomy an unexploited environmentally friendly resource is too good to leave untouched.