Cork
Cork oak forest has a crucial importance to the economy and ecology of several Mediterranean countries and especially Portugal, the world’s largest cork producer.
Cork is a noble raw material with incomparable characteristics. Its main application is in the manufacture of cork stoppers, but its wide-ranging use goes from construction to the aerospace industry.
José Pedro Barreira Group had cork production in its genesis and is currently one of the largest producers, with 130,000 arrobas in the past decade. Regarding the forest and particularly the cork oak forest, we feel an increased responsibility towards the present and future generations, promoting a constant commitment to its valorisation.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a fast-growing species and a very effective carbon dioxide fixer in combating the greenhouse effect.
The eucalyptus planted in Portugal is also a very efficient tree in the use of available water. Without long or deep roots, it regulates transpiration through the leaves,
retaining the excess which then will be used during drought periods.
Although eucalyptus consumes mineral salts from the soil due to its fast growth, 80% of these minerals return to the land through the recurrent fall of the bark and leaves.
In José Pedro Barreira Group we believe that the planting and responsible management of eucalyptus trees, aligned with the rules set for this sector, contribute not only to the national economy but also to a better environmental balance.
Pine
Stone pine is also one of the most interesting forest species, having achieved a significant role in the agroforestry farms in the Mediterranean basin, particularly in
Alentejo. That attraction resides in the unique characteristics of its main output – the production of pine and pine nuts for the food industry.
Pine nuts, especially the Mediterranean ones, are considered a healthy ingredient due to their nutritional content and as a source for obtaining bioactive compounds.
In addition to the mixed farms of pine and cork oak forests, José Pedro Barreira Group has created exclusive areas for stone pine in order to increase pine production,
like the 100ha planted in Herdade de Camões.
Olive grove
Olive oil is the basis of Mediterranean cuisine and has a valuable set of qualities that contribute to a balanced diet.
Presently, Portugal is considered a reference in modern and efficient olive growing with the particularity of being one of the first places on the planet where the olive campaign
starts, which enables the production of the first high-quality olive oils. This sector also positively contributes to balancing the national agri-food sector.
This is a recent enterprise of José Pedro Barreira Group with the planting of two hedged olive groves in 2018 and 2019, making a total of 160ha area so far.
Cattle
The consumption of beef continues to still have a major role in nutrition worldwide and Portugal is a country with a deficit in this.
Currently, José Pedro Barreira Group has more than 1800 reproductive cows for meat production feeding mainly in irrigated and rainfed pastures.
José Pedro Barreira Group opted for cattle management in an extensive and sustainable way, integrated with the Alentejo ecosystem.
In that way, the carbon emissions released by the animals (usual in any ruminant species) are compensated by the carbon fixation in the pastures where the cattle feed.
