Ronda expects to obtain 490,000 kilos of cork from its own forests

The Ronda City Council has begun the cork extraction in the El Berrueco forest, in Cortes de la Frontera, with an expectation of 490,000 kilos and 1,200 workdays.

The councillor for Forests in Ronda, Juan Carlos González, has personally supervised the start of the cork extraction work in the 'Las Majadas de Ronda and El Berrueco' forest, located in the municipality of Cortes de la Frontera, within the Los Alcornocales Natural Park. This 2026 campaign aims to collect nearly 490,000 kilos of cork, equivalent to about 10,650 Castilian quintals.

An economic boost for municipal coffers

Cork is the most important resource that the Ronda City Council obtains from its forests, but not the only one: grass, wood, and livestock are also utilised. Last year, cork sales generated over 600,000 euros for the City Council, as González recalled, highlighting that this work represents a considerable economic boost for local finances.

The company responsible for this year's extraction is Óscar Rodríguez Fernández, awarded the various lots into which the tender was divided. The generation of around 1,200 workdays is expected, which represents a boost for employment in the region.

Improvements to paths after the storm series

In addition to cork extraction, the Ronda City Council is carrying out maintenance work on the forests. González also referred to the path improvement works being carried out by the Junta de Andalucía, through the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, to repair the damage caused by the series of storms. These actions directly benefit the residents and landowners in the area, who see improved accessibility to their properties.

The cork extraction is a tradition that is repeated every year at this time, making Ronda a benchmark in the sustainable management of its natural resources. The residents of Cortes de la Frontera and Ronda can see how the forest becomes bustling with activity for a few weeks, generating wealth and employment in an environmentally respectful manner.

For those interested in learning more about this process, the City Council usually organises guided tours of the cork oaks during the extraction. A unique opportunity to see up close how cork is extracted, a natural and renewable material that is then used in corks, flooring, or insulation.