Production, marketing and consumption of Tropical non-wood forest products.

紫胶(紫胶)是紫胶虫(Laccifer LACC)分泌的一种树脂状物质。在热带亚洲，紫胶虫被接种到油桐、单精子丁茶、桑树和毛叶枣等寄主植物上，并收获紫胶虫。进口到日本的紫胶经过精炼，然后用于电绝缘材料、油漆、粘合剂和药片、食品和水果的涂层材料。这种色素也被提取出来，用作食品的染料。1980年进口量约为1800t，1998年急剧下降至537t，约为1980年的1/4。供应短缺和不稳定导致价格上涨，加速了在需求旺盛的情况下用化学合成替代品取代天然紫胶。热带亚洲农村周围的绿化对于恢复农村生活环境乃至全球环境保护至关重要。在种植的树木上接种紫胶虫，收获紫胶树，显然为农村经济做出了贡献。在热带亚洲的生产者和发达国家的消费者之间建立信任关系可能是保持稳定供应的唯一途径。

Lac (Shellac) is a resin form material secreted from lac insect (Laccifer lacc). In tropical Asia, lac insect is inoculated to various host tress such as Schleichera oleosa, Butea monosperma, Samanea saman and Zizyphus mauritiana, etc. and lac is harvested. Lac imported to Japan is refined and the wax is then used for electric insulating material, paints, adhesion and coating materials for medicine tablets, foods and fruits. The pigment is also extracted and used as a dye for foods. The imported amount in 1980 was about 1,800 t, however, in 1998, the value drastically decreased to 537 t, about 1/4 of that in 1980. Shortage and instability of supply results in price rises and accelerates the replacement of natural lac with substitute chemical synthesis while the demand is high. Regreening around rural villages in tropical Asia is essential for the recovery of a rural life environment and even for global environmental conservation. Inoculation of lac insects to those trees planted and the harvest of lac evidently contributes to rural economics. Establishment of a trusting relationship between producers in tropical Asia and consumers in developed countries may be the only way to maintain a stable supply.