Cereal groats and meal market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cereal groats and meal in Portugal showed notable shifts between 2018 and 2020. In 2018, the market volume reached 29 011 t, underpinned by a high reliance on imported grains, particularly soft wheat, which accounted for most of the supply. The following year, volume declined to 27 249 t as unfavorable weather conditions and rising production costs reduced domestic crop yields, despite increased imports. By 2020, the market rebounded to 28 623 t, a change influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered consumption patterns and heightened the importance of corn as a staple cereal.

Beyond 2020, external shocks continued to shape the sector. The severe drought in 2021, one of the worst on record, was expected to cut corn productivity by 5%, tightening domestic supply. In 2022, the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted global grain trade, pushed up international wheat prices, and contributed to a 9% drop in European Union cereal production, further stressing Portugal's import-dependent market. Throughout this period, high input costs and climate challenges persisted, limiting significant production expansion.

Market structure also evolved, with companies like Cerealis and FIPAL strengthening their distribution of flours and cereals. Consumer preferences shifted toward premium and innovative products, including multigrain, gluten-free, and functional ingredient options, driving diversification in the cereal groats and meal segment. These trends, coupled with ongoing strategies to boost sustainable domestic production, marked the period from 2018 to 2025.

Production cereal groats and meal in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Cereal groats and meal production in Portugal declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 5 824 K $ US, which is 14.7% lower than in 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, production decreased by 19.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.8%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal's cereal groats and meal production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 18 492 t were produced, which is 3.7% less than in the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 23.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.5%.

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

Exports cereal groats and meal from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, cereal groats and meal exports from Portugal reached 7 984 t, marking a strong increase of 17.2% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 12.9%, with a CAGR of 4.1%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 6 813 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 9 658 t. The largest decline occurred in 2020, falling by 29.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 36.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Angola and Spain remained the key destinations for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 86.1% of total flows. Other partners were much less significant individually.

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

In 2021, cereal groats and meal shipments from Portugal totaled 3 187 K $ US, representing a steep uptick of 33.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 23.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 396 K $ US, and the maximum was in 2019 at 3 376 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 29.0%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Angola and Spain concentrated the majority of exports in value terms for cereal groats and meal from Portugal, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

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

Imports cereal groats and meal to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, cereal groats and meal imports into Portugal amounted to 23 102 t, showing an improvement of 36.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 93.3%, with a CAGR of 24.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, falling by 4.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 48.1%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain remained the almost exclusive supplier of cereal groats and meal to Portugal, with a share of 97.1% 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

Portugal imported a total of 8 543 K $ US of cereal groats and meal in 2021, which is 51.4% more than in the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 117.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, dropping by 1.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms of cereal groats and meal to Portugal were highly concentrated on Spain, which accounted for 94.5% 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