Portugal Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in portugal, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
Agricultural Sectors
Last published date:

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: AgLisbon@usda.gov

Soybeans

Overview

 202320242025(estimate)
Total Market Size513,088515,337515,700
Total Local Production000
Total Exports4,6214,8154300
Total Imports517,709520,152520,000
Imports from the U.S.152,878182,330130,000

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, 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.  To a lesser extent, Portugal is also an importer of soybean meal.  As of December 2026, the new EU Deforestation-Free Commodities Regulation (EUDR) will likely affect soybean and soybean products markets. Final implementation details will determine the extent of the rule’s impact in the overall oilseeds market.

Grains  

Overview           

 202320242025(estimate)
Total Market Size1,139,224893,0141,012,000
Total Local Production305245220
Total Exports124,97847,65910,400
Total Imports1,263,897940,4281,021,000
Imports from the U.S.5,09179,826175,000

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 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 percent 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 United States also exports wheat, including durum wheat, to Portugal, with export opportunities depending on competition from other origins.  The United States is becoming competitive on the Portuguese market, regaining import market share since CY 2024.

Seafood

Overview          

 20232024

2025

(estimate)

Total Market Size2,789,4982,922,2942,800,000
Total Local Production1,450,0001,500,0001,500,000
Total Exports1,065,0341,117,5331,300,000
Total Imports2,404,5322,539,8272,600,000
Imports from the U.S.16,41015,94917,000

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 well-developed fishing industry 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 54,54 kg/year per capita in 2022, a 4 percent decrease compared with 2021.  Cod was by far the most consumed species.

Portugal is a net importer of fish and seafood and sources from almost one hundred countries worldwide. In 2024, Portugal’s imports of fish and seafood from the United States were valued at close to $16 million. U.S. seafood products are well-rated and in demand in the Portuguese market.  Cod, salmon, and pollock were the top imports from the United States in 2024.

Hardwood

Overview

 20232024

2025

(estimate)

Total Market Size172,411171,866171,000
Total Local Production160,000160,000160,000
Total Exports57,95766,95269,000
Total Imports70,36878,81880,000
Imports from the U.S.19,01818,83020,000

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                                                                                        

 20232024

2025 

(estimate)

Total Market Size72,86146,86644,000
Total Local Production110,000115,000120,000
Total Exports102,236140,230150,000
Total Imports65,09772,09674,000
Imports from the U.S.2,6733,6023,000

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 may originate in the United States, imported through Spain, and finally re-exported to Portugal.  Pistachios, almonds, and walnuts lead U.S. nut exports to Portugal. Nuts are imported and reprocessed locally for domestic consumption and then re-exported to third countries.  In 2024, the main destinations for these nuts outside the European Union were Brazil, United States and the United Kingdom.

Pulses/Legumes

Overview                                                                                                                                                                                              

 20232024

2025

 (estimate)

Total Market Size43,13953,50856,000
Total Local Production6,0006,0006,000
Total Exports28,13635,70735,000
Total Imports65,27583,21585,000
Imports from the U.S.1,4842,7892,400

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
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 2023, U.S. exports were led by kidney beans and chickpeas. Companies also process and re-export dry edible beans within the EU market.

Agriculture Resources                                                                                      

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