The export of corks in Catalonia has shown positive behavior during the year 2023, consolidating the sector as an export engine. According to the latest export study prepared by the Associació d'Empresaris Surers de Catalunya (AECORK), the data reflects a significant increase in several categories of cork products, particularly sparkling wine stoppers.

Almost all Spanish exports of sparkling wine caps come from Catalonia

In the case of sparkling wine corks, an emblematic product of the Catalan cork industry, exports have maintained a positive trend. In 2023, the value of exports reached 79.4 million euros, 56.7% more than the 50.7 million euros exported in 2016. Catalonia has consolidated its dominant position, representing 95.651 TP3T of the total of Spanish exports in this category. Italy and France remain the main importing markets for these caps.

The natural cap maintains its value

Natural cork stoppers, in general, have maintained their market value with positive variations, especially from 2021, when they have seen a recovery after the crisis of 2020. At the same time, their coverage rate (difference between imports and exports) exceeded 2001TP3Q for the first time, reaching 2051TP3Q. This fact indicates that exports of natural cork stoppers by Catalan companies double imports, which we attribute to a continued decline in natural cork imports in Catalonia linked to the use of natural cork manufactured in Catalonia by Catalan wineries.

Catalonia, international benchmark

Overall, Catalan exports of the cork sector experienced an increase of 3,49% in value in 2023, reaching a total of 138.9 million euros compared to 134.2 million euros in 2022. This growth shows the marked export character of the Catalan rubber sector.

Joan J. Puig, president of AECORK and of the Institut Català del Suro Foundation, states that "we are aware that in the last 10 years there has been a decrease and a concentration of companies. Despite everything, these figures corroborate that the volume and value of the sector in terms of caps or exports is maintained and even grows in some areas".