Life in Portugal’s Cork Country: Meet Cork Producer and Artisan David Caeiro

When you think of cork, what comes to mind? Wine bottle stoppers might be your first answer. However, this sustainable material has numerous uses, ranging from fashion accessories and clothing to shoes, furniture, flooring, wall coverings, and more.

Portugal is the world’s largest producer of cork, and the cork oak tree (Quercus suber) thrives in the country’s southern Alentejo region.

Today, we’re virtually taking you to the centre of the cork industry—to a small village just outside of the region’s capital, Évora. It’s the home of a third-generation cork producer and artisan.

Growing up with cork

For David Caeiro, cork isn’t just a profession, but something woven into his upbringing. “It comes from my family, from my grandparents. I grew up surrounded by cork. But it’s only been in the last nine years that I’ve worked full-time alongside my parents in the company.”

The cork oak forest sets the rhythm of daily life in the village, from hand-harvesting the material to the finished good. David also shared that cork is the identity of the region he calls home. “The cork industry is what defines our land. It’s even part of its origin story. You can’t really separate the two.”

A family craft—many hats, one purpose

David described how everyone pitches in at the family business.

“We all need to know a bit about everything. With cork, we’re involved from start to finish — from preparing the raw material to producing the final products.”

When travellers tour the factory, David maps out every step of producing a finished product, from removing the bark from the tree to transforming it into a finished good. The path from bark to product isn’t linear, and that unpredictability is part of the magic.

Though the production process is wide-ranging, what motivates David most is the finished product. “It’s hard to pin down each step without getting too technical, but my favourite part is when we see positive results from our work. That’s when everything comes together.”

For David, the most rewarding moments are twofold. “The results, when things go well — that’s always fulfilling. But also…the feedback we receive from visitors. Hearing their impressions, knowing that they’ve gained something meaningful, that makes it worthwhile.”

Ready to go? Learn more about the Sunny Portugal tour right here.

Balancing tradition and innovation

With cork, the question of how to honour tradition whilst creating innovative products is always top of mind for David. “Tradition is important—we preserve it by continuing to make the products of the past and sharing their history. But we also innovate, hoping our story becomes part of cork’s evolving legacy.”

Why cork matters (to the planet, too)

Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees—without cutting them down. The bark regenerates, making cork a renewable resource. This traditional, low-impact method helps preserve the forest and its ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

More than souvenirs: what travellers take home

When visitors depart the factory, he hopes they take away both utility and meaning. “I want people to leave with something useful, yes, but also with something that reminds them of the time they spent with us. A piece of cork that holds a story.”

In the end, it’s not just about learning—it’s about feeling connected to the place, the people, and the story. “Of course, I want visitors to leave with a deeper understanding of cork. But even more than that, I want them to remember that they had a good time here, that they enjoyed themselves. That it wasn’t just another visit, but an experience.”

Discover Lisbon, Alentejo, the Algarve, and the Portuguese Riviera

Want to learn more about life in southern Portugal and what you can experience there on tour? Discover Sunny Portugal.