Cork Production - Area of cork oak forest
Today cork oak forests still make a substantial contribution to the economy and ecology of several Mediterranean countries, and they cover a worldwide area of 2,277,700 hectares. An analysis of their distribution by country immediately shows that Portugal has around 33% of the world total, corresponding to an area of approximately 730,000 hectares, around 23% of the country's forested land.
Cork forest areas
|
Country |
Area (hectares)* |
Percentage |
|
Portugal |
736,700 |
32,4 |
|
Spain |
506,000 |
22,2 |
|
Algeria |
414,000 |
18,2 |
|
Marocco |
345,000 |
15,2 |
|
France |
92,000 |
4 |
|
Tunisia |
92,000 |
4 |
|
Italy |
92,000 |
4 |
|
Total |
2,277,700 |
100 |
Source: Direcção Geral das Florestas DGF (National Forest Authority) Year: 2006
Production and exportation of cork
|
Country |
Average annual production |
Percentage |
|
Portugal |
157,000 |
52,5 |
|
Spain |
88,400 |
29,5 |
|
Italy |
17,000 |
5,5 |
|
Algeria |
15,000 |
3,7 |
|
Morocco |
11,000 |
4 |
|
Tunisia |
7,500 |
2,5 |
|
France |
3,400 |
1,1 |
|
Total |
299,300 |
100 |
* Source: APCOR Year:2007
Portugal has been implementing important reforestation projects, the current rate of reforestation being estimated at 10,000 hectares per year.
Source: APCOR 2006