Where Was My Cork Bag Made? Understanding the Cork Supply Chain

In a time when headlines are buzzing with talk of tariffs, trade tensions, and reshoring manufacturing, many consumers are asking a simple but important question: Where was this product made? Or in our case, perhaps “Where was my cork bag made?”

At Texas Cork Company, we welcome those questions — because they reflect a growing curiosity and concern about how the things we buy are made. Today, we want to pull back the curtain and talk honestly about what it takes to bring our cork products to you—and why the answer to “Where is it made?” isn’t always so simple when it comes to cork.

Cork: A Material with One Natural Home

Let’s start with a little-known but essential fact: ALL cork comes from cork oak trees (Quercus suber), which are native only to the Mediterranean region.

Portugal, Spain, Italy, and parts of North Africa are the only places in the world where these trees grow in significant numbers and under the right conditions to produce harvestable cork.

That means no matter where your cork wallet, coaster, bag, or sunglasses were assembled, the cork itself was likely always an import at some point in the process. Even products labeled “Made in the USA” that include cork are using raw materials grown and harvested across the Atlantic.

The Global Journey of Cork

After being carefully harvested—by hand, in a process that doesn’t harm the tree—cork is processed into various raw forms such as granules, blocks, or thin sheets. From there, it enters a complex global supply chain.

In recent decades, China has become a dominant force in manufacturing cork fabrics and accessories, much like in other sectors. Many cork accessories sold globally today are produced in Chinese factories using raw cork imported from the Mediterranean.

But it’s not as simple as “Made in China” or “Made in Portugal.” The truth is, the cork supply chain can be incredibly intricate and global in nature. Sometimes, raw cork is shipped from Portugal or Spain to China, where it is processed into fabric. Then those cork fabrics may be sent to other countries—including back to Europe—to be assembled into final products. The end result might say “Made in Spain,” but the fabric may have been created in China from cork harvested in Portugal.

This multi-country manufacturing path isn’t unique to cork—it’s typical of modern global trade. It’s one reason why product labels can feel confusing or incomplete. Supply chains don’t always follow a straight line, and frankly not all companies are fully transparent about the details of their supply chain.

Unfortunately, greater complexity in the supply chain tends to increase the carbon footprint of products (also not unique to cork) due to being shipped across the world multiple times throughout the production process.

At Texas Cork Company, we understand that this complexity can leave customers with questions. That’s why we're focused on transparency, traceability, and working with trusted partners—regardless of where they’re located.

Our Commitment: Transparency and Local Innovation

We’re proud of how we source and craft our products, and we’re committed to making decisions that reflect both responsibility and realism. That includes being open about when and why we work with manufacturers in Portugal, China, or elsewhere—and what that means for the final product.

But we’re also committed to trying to simplify the supply chain of our products in order to maintain the sustainable nature of cork products. To do this, we're planting seeds for something closer to home. We’re currently working on cultivating cork oak trees right here in Texas.

It’s an ambitious, long-term project that won’t yield harvestable cork for at least 15 to 20 years. Cork oak trees take decades to mature, and there are no shortcuts. But we believe it’s worth the wait. Imagine being able to make cork products from trees grown right here on American soil—that’s our dream, and we’re actively working to make it a reality.

Why This Matters

We know our customers value products that are thoughtfully made and rooted in integrity. That’s why we’re committed to being transparent about our supply chain and honest about what’s possible.

Cork is a beautiful, natural, and renewable resource—but it’s also a global one. Whether a product is finished in Portugal, China, the U.S., or somewhere in between, the cork itself still comes from the same ancient forests in the Mediterranean. That’s something no trade policy or factory location can change.

Until the day we can harvest cork in Texas—and even after—we’ll continue working with trusted partners around the world to ensure that every product we offer meets the high standards you expect from us.

Thank you for supporting thoughtful, sustainable businesses.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue growing—literally and figuratively!

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The Cork Chronicles

By Texas Cork Company