Portugal Cork
Portugal is a major cork grower and accounts for over 50% of the worlds production. Cork is the most important of Portuguese exports and it’s 3 main importers are Germany, USA and the UK.
The best quality cork is obtained from the Algarve and the Alentejo regions, but Central Portugal together with the Southern region are the most productive areas of Portugal. The trees also known as ‘Quercus Suber’ can grow as high as 20metres and are believed to live for over 150 years.
Under Portuguese law Cork trees are ‘protected’ and cannot be cut down, unless sanctioned by the forestry commission. The bark ( cork ) is first ’stripped’ when the tree is some 25 years old, a new layer forms but in order to protect the species, they can only be ‘harvested’ once in every 9 years. Cork harvesting is done by hand using a small axe. The process requires great skill in order to harvest the bark without harming the tree.
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