The pine nut, the edible kernel of the Mediterranean stone pine, Pinus pinea , is one of the world's most

expensive nuts. Although well known and planted since antiquity, pine nuts are still collected mainly

from natural forests in the Mediterranean countries, and only recently has the crop taken the first steps

to domestication as an attractive alternative on rainfed farmland in Mediterranean climate areas, with

plantations yielding more pine nuts than the natural forests and contributing to rural development and

employment of local communities. The species performs well on poor soils and needs little husbandry,

it is affected by few pests or diseases and withstands adverse climatic conditions such as drought and

extreme or late frosts. It is light-demanding and hence has potential as a crop in agro forestry systems in

Mediterranean climate zones around the world.

This publication contains 14 of the contributions presented at the AGROPINE 2011 Meeting, held

from 17 to 19 November 2011 in Valladolid (Spain). The Meeting aimed at bringing together the main

research groups and potential users in order to gather the current knowledge on Mediterranean stone

pine as a nut crop and to analyse its potential and current challenges. The presentations and debates

were structured into two scientific sessions dealing with management of stone pine for cone production

and on genetic improvement, selection and breeding of this species, and was closed by a round

table discussion on the challenges and opportunities of the pine nut industry and markets. Thirty nine

scientists, and forest and industry managers, coming from Lebanon, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey

participated in the meeting, which will hopefully be the first of a series of meetings and activities of the

newly restored FAO-CIHEAM Sub-network on Mediterranean Stone Pine.