Overview
For more information on opportunities for US agricultural exports to Portugal, please contact the Office of Agricultural Affairs at the American Embassy in Madrid, covering Spain and Portugal:
USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service
Email: AgLisbon@usda.gov
Soybeans
Overview
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 (estimate) | |
| Total Market Size | 665,814 | 631,187 | 538,800 |
| Total Local Production | 0 | 0 | - |
| Total Exports | 5,948 | 4,306 | 6,800 |
| Total Imports | 671,762 | 635,494 | 545,600 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 139,453 | 159,093 | 126,400 |
Unit: USD thousands
Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Total Imports) – (Total Exports)
Data Sources:
Total Local Production: FAS Madrid estimates
Total Exports: Trade Data Monitor, LLC
Total Imports: Trade Data Monitor
Imports from U.S.: Trade Data Monitor
Data corresponding to Soybeans, (HS Code 1201) Trade Data Monitor
Opportunities
Soybeans in Portugal are crushed to obtain soybean meal for the feed industry and soybean oil for the biodiesel industry. Price competitiveness with other suppliers of feed ingredients (mostly located in South America) and other oilseeds determines the demand for U.S. soybeans in the feed and biofuel markets. Since 2015, the extensive use of used cooking oils has reduced soybean oil used in biodiesel production. Portugal is also an importer of soybean meal.
Grains
Overview
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 (estimate) | |
| Total Market Size | 1,258,330 | 1,265,161 | 2,139,800 |
| Total Local Production | 282,539 | 328,834 | 298,000 |
| Total Exports | 30,206 | 89,516 | 108,200 |
| Total Imports | 1,005,997 | 1,384,842 | 1,950,000 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 5,922 | 18,514 | 900 |
Unit: USD thousands
Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Total Imports) – (Total Exports)
Data Sources:
Total Local Production: FAS Madrid estimates
Total Exports: Trade Data Monitor
Total Imports: Trade Data Monitor
Imports from U.S.: Trade Data Monitor
Data corresponding to Group 01 Trade Data Monitor
Opportunities
The gap between Portuguese grain consumption and production continues to expand. Given the small size of the domestic grain crop, Portugal has a grain deficit of over 3.5 million metric tons (MMT). Bulk commodity trading companies based in the Iberian Peninsula are the main gateway to the market of Portuguese feed and food grains. With an estimated consumption of nearly 3.5 MMT, the Portuguese compound feed industry is the primary grain buyer. Grains represent nearly 60% of the feed formula. The country’s compound feed production declined until 2015 when a combination of favorable input prices and increased efficiencies due to industry consolidation resulted in higher compound feed production levels. The U.S. also exports wheat, including durum wheat, to Portugal, with export opportunities depending on competition from other origins.
Seafood
Overview
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 (estimate) | |
| Total Market Size | 3,140,762 | 3,397,586 | 3,230,000 |
| Total Local Production | 1,950,000 | 2,000,000 | 2,000,000 |
| Total Exports | 968,610 | 1,003,711 | 970,000 |
| Total Imports | 2,159,372 | 2,401,297 | 2,200,000 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 13,613 | 16,885 | 18,000 |
Unit: USD thousands
Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Total Imports) – (Total Exports)
Data Sources:
Total Local Production: FAS Madrid estimates
Total Exports: Trade Data Monitor
Total Imports: Trade Data Monitor
Imports from U.S.: Trade Data Monitor
Data corresponding to HS Code 03
Opportunities
The fishing industry’s development level reflects Portugal’s high consumption of fish and seafood. According to the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EUMOFA), the apparent seafood consumption in Portugal was estimated at 57.67 kg/year per capita in 2020.
Portugal is a net importer of fish and seafood and sources from almost one hundred countries worldwide. In 2022, Portugal’s imports of fish and seafood from the United States were valued at $17 million, up 24% from last year. U.S. seafood products are well-rated and in demand in the Portuguese market. Cod, salmon, pollock, fish livers, and roe were the top imports from the United States in 2022.
Hardwood
Overview
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023(estimate) | |
| Total Market Size | 208,584 | 193,187 | 205,000 |
| Total Local Production | 180,000 | 180,000 | 180,000 |
| Total Exports | 36,242 | 55,809 | 35,000 |
| Total Imports | 64,826 | 68,996 | 60,000 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 18,578 | 21,000 | 15,000 |
Unit: USD thousands
Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Total Imports) – (Total Exports)
Data Sources:
Total Local Production: FAS Madrid estimate
Total Exports: Trade Data Monitor
Total Imports: Trade Data Monitor
Imports from U.S.: Trade Data Monitor)
Data corresponding to HS Codes 440391, 440791 and 440890
Opportunities
Portugal has a well-developed timber processing industry. U.S. hardwood has a good reputation in the Portuguese market for its high quality and reliability. American oak is highly appreciated in the production of casks for Porto wine.
Tree Nuts
Overview
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023(estimate) | |
| Total Market Size | 86,597 | 66,593 | 165,000 |
| Total Local Production | 131,158 | 157,518 | 205,000 |
| Total Exports | 113,003 | 92,194 | 110,000 |
| Total Imports | 68,442 | 66,593 | 70,000 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 3,945 | 4,801 | 4,000 |
Unit: USD thousands
Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Total Imports) – (Total Exports)
Data Sources:
Total Local Production: FAS Madrid estimates
Total Exports: Trade Data Monitor
Total Imports: Trade Data Monitor
Imports from U.S.: Trade Data Monitor
Data corresponding to HS Code 0802
Opportunities
The primary source of tree nuts for Portugal is Spain. Some of these tree nuts likely originate in the United States, are imported through Spain, and finally re-exported to Portugal. Almonds, walnuts, and pecans lead U.S. nut exports to Portugal. Nuts are imported and reprocessed locally for domestic consumption and re-export to third countries. In 2022, these nuts’ main destinations outside the European Union were Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, and the United States.
Pulses/Legumes
Overview
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 (estimate) | |
| Total Market Size | 46,973 | 38,682 | 46,500 |
| Total Local Production | 4,500 | 4,500 | 4,500 |
| Total Exports | 24,982 | 22,955 | 25,000 |
| Total Imports | 67,455 | 57,137 | 67,000 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 1,297 | 567 | 2,500 |
Unit: USD thousands
Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Total Imports) – (Total Exports)
Data Sources:
Total Local Production: FAS Madrid estimates
Total Exports: Trade Data Monitor
Total Imports: Trade Data Monitor
Imports from U.S.: Trade Data Monitor
Data corresponding to HS Code 0713 (Leguminous vegetables, dried shelled)
Opportunities
Domestic consumption of pulses is high in the Portuguese market, particularly for dry edible beans, which are an essential component of the local diet. In 2022, US exports were led by navy/pea beans, chickpeas, and black beans. Companies also process and re-export dry edible beans within the EU market.
Agriculture Resources
United States Dry Bean Council and USA Dry Peas and Lentil Council
FAS USEU Mission