Figs market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese figs market grew from 4 833 t in 2018 to 5 766 t in 2019, supported by a significant expansion of fig orchards where farmers invested in new plantations and technologies to counter international competition. Investment in varieties like Pepe Aromas and the organization of groves to facilitate harvesting contributed to higher production.

After a slight dip to 5 443 t in 2020, the market rebounded to 6 104 t in 2021. This recovery was driven by ongoing efforts to position Portuguese figs as a high-quality niche product and by new projects from young producers who implemented sustainable practices and technology like GPS for planting, aiming for future growth.

The market volume dropped sharply to 4 238 t in 2022, primarily due to adverse meteorological conditions that affected the agricultural sector. A modest recovery to 4 300 t followed in 2023, coinciding with temporary EU emergency measures for the fruit and vegetable sector implemented to address the impact of extreme weather events.

Production figs in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal was among the world's leading fig producers from 2018 to 2021, ranking 25th globally by production volume.

Top producers of figs, 2018-2021

World map of production of figs, 2018-2021

In 2021, Portugal produced 5 000 tons of figs, representing a 13.4% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 33.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 10.2%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 23.3%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 4.3%.

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

Exports figs from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Portugal exported 176 tons of figs in 2021, marking a 33.7% year-over-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 30.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 132 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 18.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, France, Italy, and Austria were consistently the main destinations for Portugal's fig exports in volume terms, accounting for 32.2%, 14.3%, and 14.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 60.8% of total export flows.

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

After a two-year decline, Portugal's fig exports in value terms rebounded in 2021, reaching 465 thousand US dollars, a solid 23.2% increase year-over-year. However, over the entire 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 16.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 377 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 at 24.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, France, the United States, and Angola were the largest buyers of Portuguese figs in value terms, with shares of 22.5%, 16.9%, and 11.7% of total exports, respectively. Combined, these three markets accounted for 51.0% of Portugal's fig 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 figs to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal imported 1 281 tons of figs, a 9.9% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 1 319 tons, while the lowest was in 2020 at 1 165 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 11.7%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain dominated Portugal's fig imports in volume terms, accounting for 80.9% of total flows. Other source countries 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

Portugal imported 4 396 thousand US dollars worth of figs in 2021, a strong 14.0% year-over-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, import value rose by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 5.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the dominant source for Portugal's fig imports in value terms, holding a 75.9% share of total flows. Other markets contributed comparatively modest amounts.

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

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