What do the numbers really say about the cork market?
The most recent data show a sector that remains solid and relevant, with cork strengthening its prominent position, especially in the sealants segment. Cork stoppers continue to be the industry’s main pillar, although there have been some shifts in the dynamics between different types.
Internationally, Portuguese cork continues to gain ground, with markets such as France, Italy, Spain, and the United States maintaining a central role, even with some adjustments in their relative weight over recent years.
But not everything points to stability. Pressure on the sector is beginning to be felt at the base level, with the decline in raw material value posing challenges to the profitability of forest production.
The sustainability of this sector is not measured solely by the final product—it begins in the Montado. And this is where the real balance lies: valuing the forest to ensure the future of cork.
Full report at http://unac.pt/