Chamois, patent and metallised leather market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The market for chamois, patent and metallised leather in Portugal experienced a significant contraction between 2018 and 2020. In physical terms, market volume fell from 3 786 thousand m² in 2018 to 2 304 thousand m² in 2019, a drop of 39%, while in value terms it declined from 67 780 thousand US dollars to 49 914 thousand US dollars, down 26%. The downturn continued in 2020, though at a slower pace, with volume easing to 2 178 thousand m² (a further 5.5% decrease) and value to 46 204 thousand US dollars (7.4% lower). This period was marked by reduced domestic production and lower import volumes.

From 2021 onward, trade flows showed notable variations. Import volumes, after a slight recovery in 2021, rose to over 2 000 thousand m² in 2022 and 2023, before decreasing again in 2024 and 2025. Exports, which had peaked in 2019 at 404 thousand m², fluctuated at lower levels in subsequent years, reflecting changing external demand conditions.

Production chamois, patent and metallised leather in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's production of chamois, patent, and metallised leather declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 27 022 thousand US dollars, representing a 10.9% decrease from the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production fell by 26%, which translates to an annualized decline of 9.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K m²

Portugal's production volume of chamois, patent, and metallised leather dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 729 thousand square meters, showing a significant decrease of 20.5% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, production declined by 58.3%, averaging an annualized rate of 25.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K m²

Exports chamois, patent and metallised leather from Portugal

Exports in kind, K m²

In 2021, Portugal exported 257 thousand square meters of chamois, patent, and metallised leather, marking a 5.8% increase from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 404 thousand square meters, which saw a 69.1% rise. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest decline of 39.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K m²

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, France, and Spain remained the top buyers of chamois, patent, and metallised leather from Portugal. Germany accounted for 28.1% of exports in kind, France for 20.7%, and Spain for 14.8%, together making up 63.7% of total exports.

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, Portugal's cross-border shipments of chamois, patent, and metallised leather reached 3 523 thousand US dollars, up 11.3% from 2020. However, from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 40.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 15.9%. The peak value was in 2019 at 9 266 thousand US dollars, which saw a 56.3% increase. The lowest value was in 2020 at 3 165 thousand US dollars, experiencing the largest decline of 65.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, France, Spain, and Germany were the key partners for Portugal's exports in value terms. France represented 33.2% of exports, Spain 24.1%, and Germany 17.4%, collectively accounting for 74.6% 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 chamois, patent and metallised leather to Portugal

Imports in kind, K m²

After two years of decline, Portugal's imports of chamois, patent, and metallised leather increased in 2021. Imports totaled 1 732 thousand square meters, showing a slight gain of 2.3% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 23.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 8.7%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 1 692 thousand square meters, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 21.3% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K m²

From 2018 to 2021, Italy and Spain were the core sources for Portugal's imports in kind, jointly accounting for 94.4% of total flows. Other destinations had relatively minor shares.

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

Following a two-year fall, Portugal's imports of chamois, patent, and metallised leather rose in 2021. The country imported 24 805 thousand US dollars worth, equivalent to a robust increase of 11.0% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 33.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 12.6%. The minimum value was in 2020 at 22 347 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 22.6%.

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

In 2018 to 2021, Italy and Spain were the dominant suppliers of chamois, patent, and metallised leather to Portugal, together taking 92.8% of total imports in value terms. Other partners played a less significant role.

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

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