Frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The period from 2018 to 2025 saw significant shifts in Portugal's market for frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts. From 2018 to 2020, market volume contracted sharply from 8.7 thousand t to 5.0 thousand t, a decline driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the European market. These factors disrupted supply chains, restricted movement, and reduced demand for exports, putting downward pressure on prices and overall consumption. Although ASF in Germany and pandemic-related issues continued to cause an oversupply in the European market into 2021, limiting export opportunities, the market began a recovery that year, reaching 6.8 thousand t.

This recovery continued through 2024, with market value growing more robustly than volume, reaching 20.8 million $ US by the end of that year. This was supported by new legislation on labeling and origin requirements, which increased market transparency, and a major commercial breakthrough for the sector: the approval for Portugal to export pork and pork products to Singapore in 2024 under the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, opening a new Asian market. By 2025, data showed a strategic shift toward exports, with shipments increasing by 43%, while production costs rose due to higher expenses for animal feed, energy, and logistics, and competition from Spanish products intensified due to VAT differentials.

Production frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's production of frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output value reached 6 268 K $ US, representing a 24.4% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production surged by 92.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 24.3%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal's production of frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 3 002 t, a significant jump of 27.1% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production expanded by 118.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 29.7%.

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

Exports frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Portugal's export volume of frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts fell in 2021. Exports totaled 2 222 t, a notable decline of 14.4% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports still increased by 23.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2020 at 2 594 t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 36.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Bulgaria, and Spain dominated Portugal's export structure for frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts in volume terms. China accounted for 22.2% of exports, with Bulgaria and Spain each at 14.9%. Together, these three markets represented 52.0% 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 two years of gains, Portugal's exports of frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts in value terms declined in 2021. Exports amounted to 5 124 K $ US, down 9.5% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports still grew by 53.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 5 661 K $ US, with the largest annual increase in 2019 at 59.6%.

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

In the 2018-2021 period, China, Spain, and Bulgaria led Portugal's export structure for frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts in value terms. China held a 23.2% share, Spain 14.8%, and Bulgaria 13.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 51.9% 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 frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Portugal's import volume of frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts rebounded in 2021. Imports reached 6 032 t, up 16.2% from the previous year. However, from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 33.7%, with an annualized decline of 12.8%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 5 192 t, which also saw the sharpest annual drop of 36.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Portugal's import structure for frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts in volume terms was heavily concentrated on Spain, which accounted for 97.0% of total flows. Other partners 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

In 2021, Portugal's import value for frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts rose to 12 713 K $ US, a 7.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 26%, with an annualized decline of 9.6%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 11 872 K $ US, while the peak was in 2019 at 18 075 K $ US. The largest annual decline occurred in 2020 at 34.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Portugal's import structure in value terms for frozen bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts was overwhelmingly focused on Spain, which held a 95.9% share of total flows. Other markets contributed minimally to the overall value.

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

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