Production and trade analysis in the Iberian cork sector : economic characterization of a forest industry
Sierra-Pérez, Jorge (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Rives Boschmonart, Jesús (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Gabarrell Durany, Xavier (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental)

Additional title:	World trade analysis of cork products in the Iberian Peninsula: an economic characterization of a forestry industry
Date:	2015
Abstract:	Cork oak forest grows endemically in the coastal regions of the western Mediterranean basin, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula. The cork agro-forestry systems play a key role in ecological processes, and the outer bark, or cork, can be extracted sustainability without damaging the tree or affecting biodiversity. Because of the properties of the cork, an important forestry and industrial structure has been developed around its most valuable goods. This paper describes the current global trade patterns in the Iberian Peninsula, where Portugal and Spain are world leaders. Although these countries bring most of their cork trade flows together with the rest of the world, there are clear differences between these sectors. The aim of this study was to identify these differences and to characterize each analysed sector from an economic perspective. The primary difference between the sectors lies in the characteristics of their supply chain and their capacity to generate wealth from raw cork. Portugal primarily produces and processes raw cork into products with high added value. Spain bases its cork sector on raw material and half-manufactured cork, and it is not able to use the full potential that cork provides. Catalonia is an exception because it is the global leader in the champagne stopper market. To encourage the development of the entire cork sector, every link in the supply chain should be strengthened through the establishment of companies and the generation of employment, and therefore the development of rural areas. Moreover, this industry must establish its own development strategies for the future, thereby increasing its investment in R&D and innovation in relation to the opportunities identified as follows: the potential for diversification beyond the wine market, the improvement potential for forest management and the enhancement of sustainability and eco-efficiency in every link of the cork supply chain.
Note:	El títol de la versió pre-print de l'article és World trade analysis of cork products in the Iberian Peninsula: an economic characterization of a forestry industry
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió sotmesa a revisió
Subject:	Cork industry ; International trade ; Iberian Peninsula ; Cork supply chain ; Natural resource economics ; Sustainability
Published in:	Resources, conservation and recycling, Vol. 98 (May 2015) , p. 55-66, ISSN 0921-3449

DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.02.011

Post-print 21 p, 1.1 MB

Pre-print 21 p, 1.1 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA) > Sustainability and Environmental Protection (Sostenipra)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles