Forest and Wood Science

Öz

Specialty food products are part of a market that has attracted attention in recent years. The demand for these products is growing. Forests are also the source of different types of special food products. Among them, truffles (genus Tuber) are a kind of specially grown forest product and edible mushrooms with a complex life cycle. The aim of this study; To carry out SWOT analyses for the development of the truffle market in the Western Mediterranean region, and then to ensure that the strategies to be followed for this market are prioritized in a participatory manner. In the study, "snowball (chain) sampling" was applied. The participants of the study consisted of representatives of the following interest group consisting of a total of 112 people: master chefs, distributors, truffle collectors and growers (producers), representatives of the Forestry Organization, restaurateurs, retailers and truffle experts. In this study, "R'WOT Technique" was used as a method. When the findings and results of the research are examined, according to all the participants included in the study and the R'WOT Technique analysis, "Application of environmentally friendly cultivation methods" and "Advantages" are the most prominent factors of the SWOT group. All participants of the study prioritized the factor of "Lack of experienced staff" in the "Weaknesses" SWOT group. Again, among the factors in the "Opportunities/Possibilities" SWOT group, the factor of "having the potential to be used in tourism" was determined as the most priority factor for all participants. Finally, according to all respondents, the "Challenges encountered in the truffle market" factor was the highest priority factor of the "Threats/Hazards" SWOT group.