Apple market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese fresh apple market showed strong growth in 2019, with volume increasing by 38% to 350 thousand tonnes. This expansion was driven by a significant rise in domestic production, particularly of the Gala variety, supported by the adoption of advanced agricultural techniques and strengthened partnerships between major retailers like Lidl and local producers. The continued valorization of regional apples with protected designations of origin also contributed to market development.

After a contraction to 267 thousand tonnes in 2020, the market rebounded sharply in 2021, reaching a peak of 388 thousand tonnes. This recovery was underpinned by sustained consumer and retailer focus on quality and the prestige of certified regional apples. However, in 2022, market volume fell by 35% to 253 thousand tonnes, primarily due to a major increase in exports following Lidl's initiative to start shipping Alcobaça apples to Spain, coupled with reported decreases in transactional volumes in key growing regions like Trás-os-Montes.

In 2023, the market volume grew by 16% to 294 thousand tonnes, stabilized by a rise in imports while domestic production held steady. Import and export flows continued to fluctuate in the following years, reflecting ongoing adjustments in trade patterns.

Production apple in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of apple, 2018-2021

World map of production of apple, 2018-2021

In 2021, Portugal produced 368.2 thousand tons of apples, marking a significant increase of 28.7% compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 370.7 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 40.4% recorded that same year. However, 2020 saw the steepest decline of 22.8%. Overall, between 2018 and 2021, apple production grew by 39.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 11.7%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of Portugal's apple production reached 203.8 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 4.2% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 229.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 37.0%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the most significant decline of 14.8%. From 2018 to 2021, the total value of apple production rose by 21.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.7%.

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

Exports apple from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Portugal's apple exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, totaling 46 507 tons—a sharp decrease of 31.8% year-over-year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 71 822 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.2%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 28.6%, averaging an annual decline of 10.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Brazil, and the Netherlands were the main buyers of Portuguese apples in terms of volume. Spain accounted for 55.1% of exports, Brazil for 10.1%, and the Netherlands for 7.3%, together making up 72.4% of total apple exports from Portugal.

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

After two years of growth, Portugal's apple exports in value terms declined in 2021, amounting to 25 745 thousand US dollars—a substantial drop of 44.8% compared to 2020. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 46 639 thousand US dollars, while 2019 saw the largest annual increase of 7.5%. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, export value decreased by 37.8%, with an average annual decline of 14.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, Brazil, and the United Kingdom were the leading destinations for Portugal's apple exports in value terms. Spain represented 44.3% of exports, Brazil 14.9%, and the United Kingdom 8.8%, collectively accounting for 68.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports apple to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Portugal's apple imports in volume increased in 2021, reaching 65 788 tons—a sharp rise of 34.2% compared to 2020. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 49 014 tons, while 2019 saw the largest annual decline of 5.2%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 22.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and Brazil were the primary sources for Portugal's apple imports in terms of volume, together accounting for 75.8% of total imports.

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 apple imports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, amounting to 57 235 thousand US dollars—an intense growth of 49.1% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 34 506 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 31.1%. Between 2018 and 2021, import value rose by 14.3%, averaging an annual increase of 4.6%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Spain, France, and Brazil remained the key partners for Portugal's apple imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 37.4% of imports, France for 25.2%, and Brazil for 10.2%, together making up 72.8% of total import value.

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

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