Forestry

In 2021 the value of Portuguese forests contributed 4.98% of GDP, while forestry companies added 0.47%, which translates into a turnover of more than 11.69 million euros.

The main markets exploited in the sector are timber, cork, paper pulp and board, and furniture.

There is, however, a very wide range of opportunities that can be explored:

• Fruits and nuts – pine nuts, acorns, hazelnuts, elderberries…;
• Essential oils – eucalyptus, maritime pine, stone pine…;
• Mushrooms;
• Spices – bay, nutmeg, cloves…;
• Nursery plants;
• Among others.

Beyond its economic value, the forest contributes in immeasurable ways through the services it provides in environmental and biodiversity terms.

The wealth of native species, which make up around 71% of the forest cover in Portugal, is chiefly responsible for this, with cork oak, eucalyptus and maritime pine predominating.

There are, though, some questions that will determine the sector's success, namely:

• The need to keep populations in rural areas;
• Promotion of distinct forestry systems, with multiple uses of the land;
• Creation of legislation specific to the sector, and forest planning;
• Prevention of forest fires.

Do you have forestry production?

Tell us about your experience in the comments!