Brewing or distilling dregs and waste market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the brewing and distilling dregs and waste market in Portugal declined from 119.0 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 83.4 thousand tonnes in 2020, before recovering to 90.2 thousand tonnes in 2021. This initial contraction was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely reduced beer consumption in hotels, restaurants, and cafés, lowering production and associated waste generation. Concurrently, brewers invested in modernizing their facilities to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste, which also limited the output of by-products. The market's partial rebound in 2021 aligned with the growing popularity of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers, which involved specific production processes and sustained demand for raw materials and waste streams.

New rules for beer production and labeling, introduced under Portaria No. 91/2022, harmonized national standards with European regulations and affected industry operations from that year. By 2023, a strong focus on circular economy practices, such as diverting dregs and waste to animal feed and biofuel production, increased demand for these residues, helping push the market volume to 124.4 thousand tonnes. Continued investments in water and energy efficiency technologies, along with stricter environmental and food‑safety regulations, contributed to a slight market contraction to 119.2 thousand tonnes in 2024. Looking ahead, the sector further embraced circularity through a new deposit‑return system for packaging and a self‑regulation code for reusable containers, while expansion in craft, non‑alcoholic, and sustainable beer segments kept the industry in transformation.

Production brewing or distilling dregs and waste in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's production of brewing or distilling dregs and waste has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 2 196 K $ US, marking a sharp rise of 26.0% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 686 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 6.9%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Production of brewing or distilling dregs and waste in Portugal has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Portugal produced 74 129 t, showing a slight drop of 2.8% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%.

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

Exports brewing or distilling dregs and waste from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume occurred in 2018, while the highest was recorded in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.3 times. In 2021, Portugal's export volume of brewing or distilling dregs and waste came to 14 866 t, declining by 7.4% from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2020 at 16 054 t, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 93.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain clearly dominated Portugal's exports of brewing or distilling dregs and waste in kind, accounting for 84.9% of total flows, while other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

Cross-border shipments of brewing or distilling dregs and waste from Portugal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 1 394 K $ US, showing an advance of 35.9% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 186.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 42.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain remained the dominant partner for Portugal's exports of brewing or distilling dregs and waste in value terms, with a share of 87.3% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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

Imports brewing or distilling dregs and waste to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year contraction, imported volumes of brewing or distilling dregs and waste in Portugal have increased. In 2021, imports reached 30 936 t, showing a dramatic rise of 33.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 19.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 23 227 t, and the largest decline was in 2019 at 27.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the geographical pattern of imports in kind reflected a strong dependence on the United States, which absorbed 94.3% 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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes hit a low in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 1.7 times. In 2021, the volume of brewing or distilling dregs and waste imports to Portugal amounted to 9 589 K $ US, up by 73.4% compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 5 531 K $ US, and the largest decline was in 2019 at 29.7%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the partner structure of imports in value terms was dominated by the United States, which consistently accounted for 94.8% 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