Black printing ink market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese black printing ink market exhibited significant fluctuations in both volume and value from 2018 to 2023. The physical market volume rose to a peak of 1 663 t in 2019, then contracted to 1 034 t by 2023. In value terms, the market reached its highest point at 30.7 million USD in 2021 before falling to 22.1 million USD in 2023.

Early in the period, the market structure was marked by consolidation, with the number of paint manufacturing companies in Portugal declining to 104 in 2018 from 147 in 2006. This shift strengthened the position of small and medium-sized enterprises, while established domestic producers like SINTIGRAF II continued to supply the printing ink segment.

From 2022 onward, the market dynamics were influenced by Epson's commanding 80% share of ink tank printer sales in Portugal. The company's sustained promotional campaigns for its EcoTank inks and individual cartridges, active until early 2026, were designed to channel consumer demand toward original and economical supplies.

Production black printing ink in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In Portugal, the output value of black printing ink reached 616.5 thousand US dollars in 2021, representing a 28.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 10.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 478.2 thousand US dollars, while the highest value occurred in 2019 at 785.5 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline took place in 2020, with a drop of 39.1%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, with a rise of 40.7%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Production volumes peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Portugal produced 123.3 tonnes of black printing ink, marking a 27.5% increase compared to 2020. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 96.7 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 228.8 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 57.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with an 85.7% rise.

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

Exports black printing ink from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Export volumes varied by 2.1 times, from the low in 2020 to the high in 2021. In 2021, Portugal exported 60 tonnes of black printing ink, which is 110.6% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 28 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 28.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets for exports in kind were Spain, Angola, and Cabo Verde, which together accounted for 73.9% of total export flows.

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 market displayed volatile behavior during these years. Export values reached their highest point in 2018 and their lowest in 2020, with a 6.1-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Portugal's black printing ink export value totaled 1 694 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 81.8% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 932 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 81.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Bulgaria (37.7% of exports in value terms), Angola (16.2%), and Spain (14.2%) consistently held the leading positions in the country structure of exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 68.1% of total 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 black printing ink to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year reduction, the volume of black printing ink imports to Portugal increased. In 2021, Portugal imported 1 497 tonnes of black printing ink, amounting to a solid gain of 15.0% compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 1 302 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 11.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (39.7% of imports in kind), Spain (38.1%), and Turkey (8.3%) remained the principal suppliers of black printing ink to Portugal, jointly accounting for 86.1% of total imports in kind.

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

The volume of black printing ink imports to Portugal increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Portugal imported approximately 31 780 thousand US dollars of black printing ink, equivalent to a substantial rise of 10.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 24 392 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 17.9%, while the largest increase was in 2020, with an 18.0% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for imports in value terms of black printing ink to Portugal were Germany (50.5% of imports in value terms), Spain (24.7%), and the Netherlands (10.6%), which jointly accounted for 85.7% of total flows.

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

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