Fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese market for fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts underwent considerable shifts from 2018 to 2023. Volume consumption fell from 110 102 t in 2018 to a low of 69 263 t in 2021, before partially recovering to 89 245 t in 2023. In value terms, the market showed resilience, ending the period at $318.0 million, supported by regulatory measures like mandatory EU origin labeling rules implemented since 2015, which enhanced transparency and helped maintain product value.

The sharp market contraction in 2020 was directly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and led to exceptional support measures for pig farmers. Subsequent challenges in 2021, including a shortage of skilled labor and a significant competitive disadvantage from Spain's lower 10% VAT rate compared to Portugal's 23%, further constrained domestic production and limited market volume.

A recovery in volume and a strong rise in market value emerged from 2022, aided by national sustainability initiatives in pig farming and a sector-wide trend toward reducing salt and sugar content in meat products. By 2023, the introduction of stricter quality and identity rules for ham, including an increase in the minimum protein requirement for cooked ham, raised production standards and was a key driver behind the market's increased value despite stable volume.

Production fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Portugal's production of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 163.6 million US dollars, marking a significant drop of 25.4% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production fell by 26.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 9.6%. The peak value occurred in 2019, reaching 242.0 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 9.3%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal's production volume of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 59 734 tonnes, showing a substantial decline of 18.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production dropped by 30.1%, averaging an 11.3% annual reduction. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 90 597 tonnes, with the largest decrease in 2020 at 19.5% and the biggest increase in 2019 at 6.0%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.9 times. In 2021, Portugal's export volume of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts reached 2 631 tonnes, representing a sharp year-on-year increase of 81.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 1 446 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 51.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Portugal's exports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts were France, accounting for 38.7% of exports, the United Kingdom with 31.1%, and Spain at 25.8%. Together, these three countries made up 95.7% 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 exports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts rebounded. In 2021, exports totaled 7 597 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 53.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 39.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.4%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 4 962 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop that year at 50.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, France led as the top buyer in value terms, with 48.1% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 28.8% and Spain at 20.0%. These three countries together accounted for 96.9% of Portugal's total export value for these products.

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 bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's imports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 12 160 tonnes, which is 7.6% lower than in 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 57.8%, averaging a 25.0% annual decline.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain dominated Portugal's import structure for these products, holding a 99.1% share of total import volumes.

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's imports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import value reached 34 723 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 14.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 54.5%, with an average annual reduction of 23.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts to Portugal were almost entirely concentrated in Spain, which accounted for 99.1% of the total.

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

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