Barley market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market in Portugal opened the period at 440 thousand tons in 2018 before contracting to 392 thousand tons in 2019. This decline coincided with a 3.3% drop in national beer production and a corresponding 7.5% fall in domestic malt output, which reduced demand from the primary processing industry. However, the market recovered to 419 thousand tons in 2020 as the Portuguese beer sector demonstrated a rapid rebound from the initial COVID-19 pandemic shock, restoring pre-pandemic sales levels faster than other European countries.

A sharp market contraction to 292 thousand tons followed in 2021. The volume then rebounded strongly to 421 thousand tons in 2022, a year marked by the publication of the official Recommended Varieties List for barley to promote the national malt supply chain and increased sector advocacy for greater domestic cultivation. By 2023, the market stabilized at 419 thousand tons, supported by the sustained growth of the craft beer segment and ongoing industry efforts to boost local raw material usage.

Looking at trade flows, barley import volumes remained substantial, consistently above 390 thousand tons through 2025. Exports showed high volatility, peaking at 122 thousand tons in 2023 before falling sharply to just 0.4 thousand tons in 2025. Throughout these years, the brewing industry continued its dialogue with the government, seeking a supportive fiscal framework and highlighting its heavy reliance on imports, which supplied over 85% of its barley needs.

Production barley in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of barley, 2018-2021

World map of production of barley, 2018-2021

Portugal's barley production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 49 720 tonnes of barley, marking a significant decrease of 19.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 20.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 7.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 71 650 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 14.9%.

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

Exports barley from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Barley exports from Portugal have dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export volumes reached 3.2 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp decline of 61.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 91.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -56.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain served as the primary destination for Portugal's barley exports, consistently accounting for 99.1% of total export volumes.

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, M $ US

Barley exports from Portugal in value terms have fallen for the third year running. In 2021, exports were valued at 1.0 million US dollars, representing a substantial drop of 47.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export values decreased by 88.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -51.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain was overwhelmingly the main destination for Portugal's barley exports in value terms, making up 98.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports barley to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, barley imports into Portugal amounted to 245.2 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp decline of 32.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 40.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 5.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom (41.6% of import volumes), Spain (31.1% of import volumes), and France (16.1% of import volumes) were the key sources for barley imports into Portugal, together accounting for 88.8% of total import 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, M $ US

Barley imports into Portugal in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were valued at approximately 105.8 million US dollars, indicating a rise of 40.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import values grew by 18.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 70.5 million US dollars, with that year also experiencing the largest decline of 20.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain (37.4% of import values), the United Kingdom (35.5% of import values), and France (15.7% of import values) formed the core group of markets for barley imports into Portugal in value terms, together representing 88.7% of total import flows.

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

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