Morocco Introduces Innovative and Improved Cork Harvesting Method

Morocco, responsible for 6% of global cork production, is transforming harvesting with a battery-powered saw that accurately measures cork bark depth.

This innovation boosts bark removal efficiency and reduces tree damage, according to Abderrahim Houmy, director general of the National Agency for Water and Forests.

The new method aims to increase cork yield by producing larger boards and avoiding small, low-value pieces.

The Moroccan Association of Cork Industrialists expects this progress to help the industry adapt to climate change-induced shifts in harvesting seasons.

In the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region, a pilot project is training cork technicians to implement this technique nationwide by 2025.

The association believes this technology will revitalize the sector, promoting cleaner and safer practices, leading to fewer injuries compared to traditional axe-based methods.

Technicians anticipate that transitioning to the saw will streamline their work and boost earnings by enabling higher cork production in shorter time periods.