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<p>Wild edible plants (WEPs) contribute to food security and livelihoods in tropical forest regions. To better understand WEP trade dynamics in Liberia, we interviewed 174 vendors in the capital, three other major cities, and some regional markets. Eighteen species were documented, mostly sold in dried form and primarily utilized as spices or condiments. <i>Xylopia aethiopica</i> and <i>Piper guineense</i> were those most traded across all locations. Six species had not been cited in WEP market studies elsewhere in West Africa before. While some WEPs were sourced from nearby forests, others, particularly in regional markets, were mainly obtained from the capital. Four species were exclusively imported from other countries. Prices varied across species and locations (0.14–69.96 USD/kg). Some species were cheaper in the capital, others in the regional markets. The estimated minimum annual retail value and trade volume were 200,490 USD and 45,380&#xa0;kg, respectively. Numerous vendors reported decreasing availability in the past ten years for nine species, especially in regional markets surveyed. Given that no vendor harvested WEPs themselves, future work is urgently needed on the ecological status of the most traded species and those perceived as declining.</p>

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Wild Edible Plants in Liberian Markets: Species, Economic Importance, and Vendor Perspectives

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月16日

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  • Lea Christin Huber,
  • Tenneh J. B. Dunor,
  • Benedictus Freeman,
  • Moses Nsanyi Sainge,
  • Aida Cuni-Sanchez

摘要

Wild edible plants (WEPs) contribute to food security and livelihoods in tropical forest regions. To better understand WEP trade dynamics in Liberia, we interviewed 174 vendors in the capital, three other major cities, and some regional markets. Eighteen species were documented, mostly sold in dried form and primarily utilized as spices or condiments. Xylopia aethiopica and Piper guineense were those most traded across all locations. Six species had not been cited in WEP market studies elsewhere in West Africa before. While some WEPs were sourced from nearby forests, others, particularly in regional markets, were mainly obtained from the capital. Four species were exclusively imported from other countries. Prices varied across species and locations (0.14–69.96 USD/kg). Some species were cheaper in the capital, others in the regional markets. The estimated minimum annual retail value and trade volume were 200,490 USD and 45,380 kg, respectively. Numerous vendors reported decreasing availability in the past ten years for nine species, especially in regional markets surveyed. Given that no vendor harvested WEPs themselves, future work is urgently needed on the ecological status of the most traded species and those perceived as declining.