Chemically modified fats and oils market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Portuguese market for chemically modified fats and oils saw significant volume shifts, initially rising in 2019 as demand for biodiesel from vegetable oils and animal fats grew under national sustainability and energy transition policies. Stable regulatory frameworks, including Decreto-Lei n.º 106/2005, provided consistent rules for edible fats and oils throughout the period.

Market volume contracted in 2020 and 2021, partly due to the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chains and consumption. Concurrently, voluntary industry commitments to reduce trans fats in food products spurred product reformulation, altering demand patterns. The expansion of used cooking oil collection networks, led by operators such as Hardlevel, advanced circular economy goals by diverting waste oils into biofuel production, influencing market dynamics.

A recovery in market volume occurred in 2022, supported by a major expansion of used oil collection infrastructure that reached 140 municipalities and increased collection points by 14%. This growth was driven by policies promoting alternative fuels and sustainability. By 2023, the market stabilized as collection networks continued to expand, with projections to cover 165 municipalities, reinforcing the shift toward renewable energy and waste valorization.

Production chemically modified fats and oils in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In Portugal, the output of chemically modified fats and oils was valued at 48 610 thousand US dollars in 2021, representing a robust 24.4% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 10.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 54 113 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 39 086 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 27.8%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Portugal ranked as the 9th largest producer of chemically modified fats and oils globally by production volume.

Top producers of chemically modified fats and oils, 2018-2021

World map of production of chemically modified fats and oils, 2018-2021

Portugal's production of chemically modified fats and oils declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output stood at 50 603 tonnes, marking a sharp decrease of 29.9% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 38.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 14.8%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 94 477 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred that same year at 15.3%.

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

Exports chemically modified fats and oils from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Portugal exported 35.1 thousand tonnes of chemically modified fats and oils, showing a significant rise of 62.2% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 99.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 25.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 22.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain dominated Portugal's export structure for chemically modified fats and oils in volume terms, accounting for 88.2% of total flows, while other markets played a less significant role.

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, M $ US

The export market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Portugal's exports of chemically modified fats and oils reached 37.0 million US dollars in 2021, reflecting a substantial uptick of 112.3% compared to the previous year. From the trough in 2018 to the peak in 2021, exports increased by 3.2-fold. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 7.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain accounted for 87.4% of Portugal's total export value for chemically modified fats and oils, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

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

Imports chemically modified fats and oils to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Portugal's imports of chemically modified fats and oils declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 157.4 thousand tonnes, showing a slight reduction of 2.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 14.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 200.7 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 19.5%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 8.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, the Netherlands, and Japan were the main sources for Portugal's imports of chemically modified fats and oils in volume terms, with shares of 54.9%, 16.2%, and 7.2%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 78.3% of total import 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, M $ US

Portugal's imports of chemically modified fats and oils increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 201.7 million US dollars, marking a rise of 42.1% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 49.2%, with an average annual increase of 14.3%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain, the Netherlands, and Japan formed the core of Portugal's import structure for chemically modified fats and oils in value terms, with shares of 55.8%, 16.5%, and 6.6%, respectively. Collectively, they represented 78.8% of total import flows.

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

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