Isna, Oleiros, 20 December 2023 (Oleiros Magazine) – Oleiros Magazine reported the preliminary results of a resin tapping study in the parish of Isna, in the municipality of Oleiros, part of the RN21 Integrated Project – Innovation in the Natural Resin Value Chain to Strengthen the National Bioeconomy.
Production above the national average
In the first year, the 60 maritime pines assessed produced around two kilos of resin per tap, above the national average of about one and a half kilos. The figures were provided by Marco Ribeiro, president of Resipinus – Association of Resin Distillers and Tappers and head of Raízes In, a partner in the study.
The trial has been running since April within the 37-entity consortium coordinated by CoLAB ForestWISE, with the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) and Raízes In as scientific leads. On the ground, the work is carried out by a forestry engineer and two resin tappers from Isna.
New techniques in the second campaign
In the campaign starting in March 2024, traditional tapping will continue on the same 60 pines, alongside tests of new methods: a closed system, designed to improve resin quality, and biological stimulants, intended to increase production. Marco Ribeiro estimates that production could grow by 30 to 40% in this second campaign.
A municipality with a resin tradition
The article recalls that Oleiros was one of the country’s leading resin producers and once had a processing plant. Miguel Marques, quoted by the magazine, highlights the potential of this maritime pine stand to generate income for owners and make the forest sustainable.
Besides Oleiros, trials are under way in pine stands in Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Nazaré, Cantanhede and Amareleja. The study is part of the RN21 Integrated Project, funded by the PRR – Component 12 – Promotion of the Sustainable Bioeconomy, and co-financed by the Environmental Fund.
Originally published in Oleiros Magazine.