Cork extraction in the province of Córdoba is advancing smoothly, with the bark easily separating from the trees without causing damage to the cork oaks. However, sector-wide unease persists due to price trends and the repercussions of several consecutive years of drought.
According to Asaja Córdoba, current cork prices range between 60 and 80 euros per quintal, marking a considerable decrease compared to previous campaigns. This reduction is partly attributed to lower demand from the wine sector, which has increasingly adopted alternative sealing methods to cork stoppers.
Despite recent rainfall, the impact of four to five years of drought is evident in cork with thinner and smaller calipers than usual. This has prompted many landowners to postpone harvesting, extending the usual nine-to-ten-year cork stripping cycle to improve product quality.
The decision to postpone extraction in numerous holdings is also influencing the current market situation.
Annual production in Córdoba averages around 2,700 tons, sourced from estates across the Sierra Morena cordobesa. This activity generates approximately 1,400 direct jobs, serving as a vital economic source for many rural areas within the province. Andalusian cork, particularly from Sierra Morena, is renowned for its quality and its role in preserving Mediterranean ecosystems.
The campaign, traditionally running from June to August, sees Asaja Córdoba advocating for an earlier start to the cork harvesting season, aligning with current climatic conditions, similar to practices in regions like Extremadura. The organization argues that extreme heat in late July makes it difficult to separate cork without harming the tree.
