Did you know that around the globe seven out of ten bottles are sealed with a cork stopper? And many of these are certainly of Portuguese origin…
Besides being a daily use object, cork is part of Portuguese history and identity. In fact Portugal is currently the largest cork producer in the world, responsible for more than 60% of all volume exports.
In 2022 cork exports grew 8% surpassing 2021. Contributing to these numbers are cork stoppers from wine industry that represented about 73% of the total value, reaching 800 million euros. Sector’s invoicing also increased compared to 2021, standing at 2,010 million euros.
Not even the fact that cork exports to Russia went from 16 million euros to 0 impacted the sector, which eventually diluted the losses by channeling the raw material to products that were in greater demand. France stands out as the main customer of Portuguese cork, with a share of about 20% of total exports. Spain and Italy still stand out among the European Union, with shares of 16% and 11% respectively. We also emphasize United States of America as the world’s largest economy and the largest consumer of wine, accounting for 18% of total exports.
With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, cork industry has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels with a growth of 12% compared to 2020 and 7% compared to 2019. These numbers achieved reinforce Portugal’s leadership as the world’s largest cork producer.
Despite the increase in raw materials cost, around 25-30%, this industry intends to continue to invest in processes and products innovation, taking advantage of the world context highly favorable to cork, a very versatile material in design and construction.
Whether by Road, Sea or Air, at Olicargo we carry this national “flag” to the 4 corners of the world. It’s time to focus on the innovation and development of the “Portuguese gold”, transportation is in our charge.
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Sources:
APCOR. (s.d.) Portugal é o país líder mundial quando se fala de cortiça. Consultado a 11 de julho de 2023, em: https://www.apcor.pt/cortica/mercados/
Dinheiro Vivo. (2023). Exportações de cortiça conseguem máximo histórico de 1212 milhões de euros em 2022. Consultado a 11 de julho de 2023, em: https://www.dinheirovivo.pt/economia/exportacoes-de-cortica-conseguem-maximo-historico-de-1212-milhoes-de-euros-em-2022-15826520.html
Expresso. (2023). Exportações de cortiça tiveram em 2022 o melhor ano de sempre. Consultado a 11 de julho de 2023, em: https://expresso.pt/economia/industria/2023-02-27-Exportacoes-de-cortica-tiveram-em-2022-o-melhor-ano-de-sempre-da31f4c1
Expresso. (2023). Exportações portuguesas de cortiça atingem recorde de 1.133 milhões de euros em 2021. Consultado a 11 de julho de 2023, em: https://expresso.pt/economia/2022-02-18-exportacoes-portuguesas-de-cortica-atingem-recorde-de-1.133-milhoes-de-euros-em-2021
Jornal de Negócios . (2023). Faturação de cortiça ultrapassa os dois mil milhões de euros em 2022. Consultado a 11 de julho de 2023, em: https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/empresas/industria/detalhe/faturacao-de-cortica-ultrapassa-os-dois-mil-milhoes-de-euros-em-2022?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=PEmpresarial%20613-23%20%20EMAF%20Tudo%20a%20postos%20para%20a%20reunio%20da%20indstria&utm_medium=email
RTP. (2023). O setor da cortiça ultrapassou pela primeira vez a barreira dos 1200 milhões de euros de exportações. Consultado a 11 de julho de 2023, em: https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/o-setor-da-cortica-ultrapassou-pela-primeira-vez-a-barreira-dos-1200-milhoes-de-euros-de-exportacoes_v1466327
