Ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys and combustible articles market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese market for ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles operates within a broader metallurgy and foundry sector, where steelmaking and steel parts manufacturing represented about 71% of the subsector's turnover in 2018. Market volume in physical terms increased to 4 764 t in 2020 from 4 056 t in 2019, then declined to 4 184 t in 2021, while in value terms it expanded from USD 6.1 million to USD 7.5 million over the same period.

By 2023, physical market volume stabilized at 4 197 t, but its value surged to USD 9.4 million. This significant rise in market value was driven by sharply increasing import prices, which grew by 27% in 2022 and another 11% in 2023. Concurrently, leading foundry FERESPE reported an 18.5% sales increase in 2023, reflecting sustained production activity in sectors such as energy and oil & gas.

In March 2025, the European Commission approved 47 strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act to strengthen national capacities in critical raw materials, including metal alloys, which directly affects the Portuguese market for ferro-cerium and pyrophoric alloys.

Production ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys and combustible articles in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In Portugal, the production value of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles reached 475.7 thousand US dollars in 2021, marking a 28.0% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2019 to 2021, production grew by 18.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 371.7 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 7.2% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal produced 123.2 tonnes of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles in 2021, representing a 26.0% rise from 2020. However, over the broader span from 2019 to 2021, production fell by 28.6%, averaging an annualized decline of 10.6%. The minimum output was in 2020 at 97.8 tonnes, accompanied by the steepest drop of 43.3% that same year.

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

Exports ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys and combustible articles from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Export volumes of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles from Portugal reached a low of 27 tonnes in 2019 and peaked at 90 tonnes in 2020, resulting in a 3.3-fold variation between these years. In 2021, exports stood at 87 tonnes, down by 3.4% from 2020. The largest decline of 58.5% occurred in 2019, while the most significant increase of 230.5% was recorded in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, France, Angola, and Spain were the primary buyers of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles from Portugal in terms of volume. France accounted for 30.5% of exports, Angola for 19.5%, and Spain for 16.3%, collectively making up 66.3% 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

Portugal's exports of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export value reached 156 thousand US dollars, a 56.2% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 77.9%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 21.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Angola, France, and Mozambique were the main buyers of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles from Portugal in value terms. Angola represented 42.4% of exports, France 15.8%, and Mozambique 10.8%, together comprising 69.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys and combustible articles to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal imported 4 147 tonnes of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles, a significant decrease of 12.8% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports declined by 11.5%, with an annualized rate of -4.0%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 3 911 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 4 756 tonnes. The largest drop of 16.5% occurred in 2019, and the biggest rise of 21.6% was in 2020.

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

During 2018–2021, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Croatia were the leading suppliers of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles to Portugal by volume. The United Kingdom accounted for 55.2% of imports, Germany for 18.8%, and Croatia for 5.9%, totaling 79.9% of all imports.

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

Foreign supplies of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles to Portugal increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, import value totaled 7 159 thousand US dollars, up by 1.0% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 4.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 776 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 15.4% that year and the highest increase of 22.7% in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain were the main sources of ferro-cerium, pyrophoric alloys, and combustible articles imports to Portugal in value terms. The United Kingdom represented 50.1% of imports, Germany 20.3%, and Spain 6.6%, together accounting for 76.9% of total import value.

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

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