Fresh or chilled beef market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Portuguese fresh or chilled beef market contracted in both volume and value, with market size falling from 138.2 thousand tons to 126.5 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which reduced per capita consumption across the EU. Earlier, the market operated under strict EU and national labeling rules, such as Regulation No. 853/2004, ensuring traceability and food safety. Sustainable production initiatives like the carbon-neutral GreenBeef project aimed to increase domestic output and replace imports, while Brazil remained a key supplier due to cultural ties and trade patterns.

After 2020, beef imports into Portugal began to recover, growing from 93.4 thousand tons in 2020 to 121.3 thousand tons in 2025. This upturn coincided with the EU's updated organic production regulations in 2022, adapted due to the war in Ukraine, and the EU-MERCOSUR trade agreement, which set tariff quotas for beef. Consumer trends toward premium, grass-fed beef and segmented offerings gained traction, supported by packaging innovations and quality control measures for chilled products.

Throughout the period, industry associations actively proposed policies to sustain national production. Regulatory focus on animal welfare, feed efficiency, and carbon footprint reduction shaped production practices, while Portaria No. 185/2022 defined fertilizer requirements affecting cattle farming. These factors influenced market structure while import dependency persisted.

Production fresh or chilled beef in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2020, Portugal's fresh or chilled beef production was valued at 226.9 million US dollars, representing a modest 1.4% increase from the previous year. Over the three-year period from 2018 to 2020, production declined by 7.9%, with an average annual decrease of 2.7%. The lowest value during this timeframe occurred in 2019 at 223.7 million US dollars, which also saw the steepest drop of 9.2%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal produced 45 533 tonnes of fresh or chilled beef in 2020, showing a moderate 7.0% rise compared to 2019. The previous year recorded the lowest output at 42 558 tonnes, with a decline of 4.7% marking the largest decrease in the period.

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

Exports fresh or chilled beef from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Portugal's exports of fresh or chilled beef have grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, export volumes reached 14.5 thousand tonnes, a significant 16.3% jump from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 5.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 11.8 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the sharpest fall of 14.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, the Netherlands, and France were the primary destinations for Portugal's fresh or chilled beef exports by volume. Spain accounted for 57.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 21.0%, and France for 5.8%, together making up 84.3% 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, M $ US

Portugal's fresh or chilled beef exports have expanded in value for two consecutive years. In 2021, exports totaled 62.5 million US dollars, a substantial 42.9% increase over 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 27.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 39.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were the top markets for Portugal's fresh or chilled beef exports by value. Spain represented 53.7% of export value, the Netherlands 19.4%, and the United Kingdom 7.8%, collectively accounting for 80.9% 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 fresh or chilled beef to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Portugal's imports of fresh or chilled beef increased in volume. In 2021, imports reached 94.4 thousand tonnes, up 1.0% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, import volumes fell by 12%, with an average annual decrease of 4.2%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 93.4 thousand tonnes, which also recorded the biggest drop of 10.1%.

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

During 2018-2021, Spain and the Netherlands dominated Portugal's fresh or chilled beef imports by volume, together representing 81.2% of total import flows, while other countries played a smaller role.

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

Following a two-year downturn, Portugal's fresh or chilled beef imports rebounded in value. In 2021, imports amounted to 551.4 million US dollars, a notable 13.3% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 8.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 486.8 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest reduction of 11.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland were the leading suppliers of fresh or chilled beef to Portugal by value. Spain contributed 56.6% of import value, the Netherlands 20.0%, and Poland 7.1%, together comprising 83.7% 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