Acyclic ethers and derivatives market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese market for acyclic ethers and derivatives expanded from 89 866 tonnes in 2018 to 101 210 tonnes in 2019, before declining to 79 864 tonnes in 2020. Throughout this phase, the chemical industry operated under the national Responsible Industry System and industrial emissions regulations, which set integrated pollution control standards without directly driving the market's short-term fluctuations.

After 2020, import volumes experienced sharp shifts, dropping to 14 589 tonnes in 2021 before recovering to 67 479 tonnes by 2025. This volatility coincided with evolving regulatory pressures: updates to the EU REACH regulation in 2021 and 2022 affected the registration and use of chemical substances, while the entry into force of the new organic farming regulation (EU 2018/848) in 2022 influenced demand for chemical derivatives in agriculture. Concurrently, growth in industrial sectors such as metal transforming and textiles—both emphasizing exports and sustainability—supported consumption of industrial chemicals.

The market's trajectory was further shaped by broader industrial trends. Statistics indicated rising business turnover in industrial production, and legislative measures aimed at incorporating more domestically produced equipment fostered modernization. European worker‑protection rules transposed in 2024‑2025 also introduced new compliance requirements for handling hazardous chemicals, reflecting an enduring regulatory focus on safety and environmental standards.

Production acyclic ethers and derivatives in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2020, Portugal's production of acyclic ethers and derivatives was valued at 13 342 thousand US dollars, marking a 35.4% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production fell by 33.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.8%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 20 644 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2020, Portugal produced 28 551 tonnes of acyclic ethers and derivatives, a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production grew by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 29 614 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports acyclic ethers and derivatives from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2021 at 0.1 tonnes, after peaking in 2019 at 2 tonnes, representing a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Portugal's exports of acyclic ethers and derivatives dropped by 86.1% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands was the primary market for Portugal's exports in kind, accounting for 79.3% of total flows, while the remaining volume was distributed among various other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values fell to their lowest in 2021 at 6 thousand US dollars, after reaching a high in 2019 at 69 thousand US dollars, with a 10.7-fold variation between these years. In 2021, Portugal's exports of acyclic ethers and derivatives decreased by 41.9% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 83.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 206.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Angola and Cabo Verde were the two leading markets for Portugal's exports in value terms, together representing 82.1% of total exports, with the rest spread across a diverse range of other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports acyclic ethers and derivatives to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Import volumes hit their minimum in 2021 at 14 589 tonnes, after peaking in 2019 at 71 599 tonnes, showing a 4.9-fold difference between these extremes. In 2021, Portugal's imports of acyclic ethers and derivatives saw a sharp decline of 71.6% compared to 2020. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France were the main sources for Portugal's imports in kind of acyclic ethers and derivatives, with shares of 43.8%, 34.0%, and 14.7% respectively, collectively accounting for 92.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Portugal's imports of acyclic ethers and derivatives declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were recorded at 24 365 thousand US dollars, a 19.4% fall compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 51.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 21.4%. The highest value was in 2019 at 54 668 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2020 at 44.7% and the largest increase in 2019 at 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France were the primary sources for Portugal's imports in value terms of acyclic ethers and derivatives, with shares of 41.6%, 33.5%, and 18.5% respectively, together making up 93.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021