Though the tree can flourish in many climates, the conditions that favor commercial use are fairly narrow. The major cork producing nations are listed below. Cork production has shown significant expansion in recent years - reflecting the impact of approximately 120,000 hectares of highly productive, new cork forests in Spain and Portugal. The cork industry employs an estimated 30,000 workers in a variety of jobs.
Wine corks are the most visible and most profitable of the many products derived from cork.
The following table displays a comparison of the different segments of the cork industry as measured by revenue generated. Worldwide cork production is estimated to be slightly less than 13 billion wine stoppers per year . This figure assumes a ratio of 250M wine corks per ton. The estimate includes agglomerated cork stoppers and champagne corks. The Domestic market shows steady growth, with estimated usage of natural corks exceeding 900 million this year.