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 2.119.089 hectares. An analysis of their distribution by country immediately shows that Portugal has around 34% of the world total, corresponding to an area of approximately 715.000 hectares, around 22,5% of the country's forested land.
Cork forest areas
|
Country |
Area (hectares)* |
Percentage |
|
Portugal |
715.992 |
34 |
|
Spain |
574.248 |
27 |
|
Marocco |
383.120 |
18 |
|
Algeria |
230.000 |
11 |
|
Tunisia |
85.771 |
4 |
|
France |
65.228 |
3 |
|
Italy |
64.800 |
3 |
|
Total |
2.119.089 |
100 |
*Source: Portugal - AFN (2010); Espanha- MARM (2007); Itália - FAO (2005); França - IM Liége (2005); Marrocos - HCEF Marroc (2011); Argélia - EFI (2009); Tunísia - Ben Jamaa (2011)
Production and exportation of cork
|
Country |
Annual production |
Percentage |
|
Portugal |
100.000 |
49,6 |
|
Spain |
61.504 |
30,5 |
|
Marocco |
11.686 |
5,8 |
|
Algeria |
9.915 |
4,9 |
|
Tunisia |
6.962 |
3,5 |
|
Italy |
6.161 |
3,1 |
|
France |
5.200 |
2,6 |
|
Total |
201.428 |
100 |
* Source: FAO (2010)
Portugal has been implementing important reforestation projects, the current rate of reforestation being estimated at 10,000 hectares per year.
Source: DGRF - Inventário Nacional Florestal 2005/2006 e APCOR