Cork in Portugal

In Portugal, cork oak forests represent around 21% of the total forested area and are responsible for the production of more than 50% of the cork consumed throughout the world. This forests have species designated by Quercus (Quercus – National Association for Nature Conservation) - large areas of holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia), small areas of Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica) and, above all, cork oaks (Quercus suber L). Of the entire flora in cork oak forests, the cork oak is the most numerous specie and can be found throughout the country, from Minho in the north to the Algarve in the south, except in the harshest areas of Trás-os-Montes and the coldest hilltops and slopes of north Portugal. However, cork oaks are most commonly associated with the landscape of the Alentejo, where they indeed grow on a large scale. (APCOR)

Cork History

Cork oak forests are delicately-balanced ecosystems, very specific that persist only in the Mediterranean region (Algeria and Morocco) and particularly in the south of Europe as in Portugal, where is the largest cork oak tree area (around 730 thousand hectares representing 33% of the whole cork in the world).
Considered a national heritage, cork oak forests have been legally protected for centuries (Decree-Law 169/2001). The trees may not be cut down and incentives are available for the planting and management of cork oak forests. This initiative, pioneered by Portugal, was clearly a good decision, since the harvesting of cork has become an industry of great economic importance and Portugal has become the main international cork exporter.
In Portugal, cork oak forests represent around 21% of the total forested area and are responsible for the production of more than 50% of the cork consumed throughout the world. This forests have species designated by Quercus (Quercus – National Association for Nature Conservation) - large areas of holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia), small areas of Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica) and, above all, cork oaks (Quercus suber L). Of the entire flora in cork oak forests, the cork oak is the most numerous specie and can be found throughout the country, from Minho in the north to the Algarve in the south, except in the harshest areas of Trás-os-Montes and the coldest hilltops and slopes of north Portugal. However, cork oaks are most commonly associated with the landscape of the Alentejo, where they indeed grow on a large scale. (APCOR)