Beans market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Portuguese fresh bean market contracted, with production falling from 10 340 tonnes to 8 360 tonnes and total market volume declining to 13 381 tonnes. This downturn was driven by a continued reduction in bean cultivation area, which heightened import dependence. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced additional supply chain and agricultural disruptions, contributing to market instability.

Market conditions improved from 2021, when the approval and registration of new creeping bean varieties in the National Catalogue of Varieties enhanced genetic innovation and local fresh supply. This supported a rebound in domestic production to 13 060 tonnes. In 2022, investments by companies such as Ground Agro, which secured a logistic cost advantage for exports to West African markets, further strengthened production, reaching 13 530 tonnes and expanding total market volume to 18 851 tonnes.

Production dropped sharply to 7 210 tonnes in 2023, reducing market volume to 11 655 tonnes. Imports also decreased to 4 619 tonnes, while exports remained low. For 2024 and 2025, available trade data shows import and export volumes stabilizing, indicating a period of adjustment following earlier volatility.

Production beans in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of beans, 2018-2021

World map of production of beans, 2018-2021

After two consecutive years of decline, Portugal's bean production rebounded in 2021. The country produced 13 060 tonnes of beans that year, representing a sharp 56.2% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 26.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 8 360 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.3% during this timeframe.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of bean production in Portugal reached 24 754 thousand US dollars, marking a 40.9% increase from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 43.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, though it was minimal at 0.0%.

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

Exports beans from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Portugal's bean exports declined in 2021. The country shipped 397 tonnes of beans abroad that year, indicating a steep 32.2% drop compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 70.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.5%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2020 at 586 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 67.1% during this period.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain was the dominant market for Portugal's bean exports in volume terms, accounting for 81.3% of total shipments. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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 export market for beans from Portugal showed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Portugal's bean exports totaled 753 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 38.9% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 232 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 88.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain absorbed 77.3% of the total value of bean exports from Portugal. The remainder was spread across a diverse range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports beans to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal's bean imports reached 4 807 tonnes, showing a robust contraction of 14.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 32.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 12.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 280 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 39.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 31.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of beans to Portugal, accounting for 99.3% of total imports in volume terms.

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

In 2021, the value of bean imports into Portugal stood at 7 509 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a strong decline of 24.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 20.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 964 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 26.3%. The peak value occurred in 2020 at 9 904 thousand US dollars, marking the largest increase of 42.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, beans imported into Portugal were supplied almost exclusively by Spain, which accounted for 99.3% 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