Fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese market for fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses expanded from 60 853 t in 2018 to 97 526 t in 2023, with a particularly strong 34% surge in the final year. Over this period, domestic production rose in parallel, from 59 892 t to 98 025 t.

In more recent years, the sector's export profile shifted markedly. By 2025, total pork exports had grown by 43% compared to 2024, driven by an 86% rise in fresh and chilled pork shipments, while exports of live swine declined by 21.5%. This reorientation toward processed meat exports reflects changing trade dynamics.

Production fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Portugal's production of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 153.0 million US dollars, marking a 7.9% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 11%, which translates to an average annual increase of 3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 169.7 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year growth of 23.1% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal's production of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 62 894 tonnes, a 7.7% drop compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 5%, averaging 1.6% growth per year. The peak was in 2019 with 70 649 tonnes, and the largest annual increase of 18.0% was also recorded that year.

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

Exports fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2021 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with the highest level being 1.7 times greater than the lowest. In 2021, Portugal's exports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses amounted to 4 744 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. The minimum volume was 2 714 tonnes in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 14.0%. In contrast, 2020 recorded the biggest increase at 74.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Germany, and China were the top destinations for Portugal's exports in volume terms, accounting for 46.8%, 26.4%, and 14.5% of total flows, respectively. Together, these three markets made up 87.8% of all 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 fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, export value reached 13 534 thousand US dollars, a 34.5% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 88.2%, averaging 23.5% per year. The lowest value was 6 493 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 9.7%. The biggest increase occurred in 2020 at 54.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, Germany, and China were the main markets for Portugal's exports in value terms, collectively absorbing 85.3% of total export revenue for fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses.

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 pork carcasses and half-carcasses to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal's imports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses totaled 3 296 tonnes, down 12.1% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 19.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.1%. The largest drop was 16.3% in 2019, while 2020 saw the biggest increase at 8.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Portugal's imports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on Spain, which accounted for 93.2% of total flows. Other countries made up the remaining share.

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 pork carcasses and half-carcasses have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were valued at 11 210 thousand US dollars, up 6.6% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 7.2%, averaging 2.3% growth per year. The lowest value was 9 743 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also recorded the largest decline of 6.8%. The biggest increase was 8.0% in 2020.

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

During 2018-2021, Spain dominated Portugal's imports in value terms, representing 91.0% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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