Portugal Expert®
January , 2025
Portugal is the world’s largest producer of cork, a natural, sustainable and versatile material that has conquered the world. Used for centuries to make stoppers, cork is now a symbol of innovation, being used in areas as diverse as fashion, architecture, design and even space exploration. In this article, we explore the origins, characteristics and uses of cork, as well as its importance for the environment and the Portuguese economy.
What is Cork?
Cork is the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), a tree typical of the Mediterranean region, with a strong predominance in Portugal. This bark is removed without harming the tree, which has the ability to regenerate itself over time, allowing new harvests. Each cork oak can live up to 200 years and can be stripped several times, with an interval of 9 years between each extraction.
Portugal and Cork
Portugal is responsible for around 50% of the world’s cork production and has the largest area of cork oak forests in the world. The regions of Alentejo and Ribatejo stand out as the main production centres. This unique ecosystem, known as montado, is essential not only for cork production, but also for biodiversity and environmental balance.
The Montado: An Environmental Treasure
Cork oak forests are habitats rich in fauna and flora, home to species such as the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle. In addition, these ecosystems help to combat climate change, as cork oaks capture large quantities of carbon dioxide.
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