Frozen fish fillets market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, production of frozen fish fillets in Portugal increased from 5 131 t to 6 281 t in 2019, largely driven by the opening of the Iberian Peninsula's largest fish freezing plant in Lagos, which added significant daily processing and storage capacity. Output then fell to 5 208 t in 2020. Over the same period, the market volume declined from 22 004 t to 19 823 t, with imports and exports also decreasing.

From 2021 onward, trade flows rebounded strongly. Imports rose from 20 157 t in 2021 to 37 015 t in 2025, supported by a notable increase in fish landings at regional auctions and a growing consumer trend toward convenient, healthy frozen foods. Exports expanded even more sharply, from 5 710 t in 2020 to 21 887 t in 2025, aided by Portuguese companies entering new markets like Canada and continuous investment in modernizing production facilities for greater efficiency. Regulatory changes, including the mandatory labeling of freezing dates starting in 2023, enhanced transparency for consumers. In value terms, import spending grew from $87.8 million in 2020 to $242.6 million in 2025, while export revenue jumped from $25.2 million to $151.6 million, reflecting both higher volumes and inflationary price pressures observed in 2024.

Production frozen fish fillets in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2019, Portugal's production of frozen fish fillets reached its peak value of 29 440 thousand US dollars. However, in 2020, output fell sharply by 21.1% to 23 216 thousand US dollars. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production declined by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.9%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2019, Portugal produced a record 6 281 tonnes of frozen fish fillets, marking a 22.4% increase from the previous year. By 2020, production had dropped to 5 208 tonnes, representing a 17.1% decline compared to 2019.

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

Exports frozen fish fillets from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

After declining for two consecutive years, Portugal's exports of frozen fish fillets rebounded in 2021. Exports reached 7 757 tonnes, a significant 35.8% increase from 2020. The lowest point was in 2020, with exports at 5 710 tonnes, down 35.5% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, overall exports fell by 25.8%, averaging an annual decline of 9.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Portugal's exports of frozen fish fillets were primarily directed to Spain and Italy, which together accounted for 82.3% of total export volumes. Other destinations played a more minor role in the export structure.

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 export value of frozen fish fillets showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2021. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 25.2 million US dollars, a 44.8% drop from the previous year. In 2021, exports surged to 43.6 million US dollars, a 73.1% increase from 2020. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 2.3 between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and Italy dominated Portugal's export value of frozen fish fillets, together representing 81.2% of total exports. The remaining share was distributed among various other destinations, each contributing smaller amounts.

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 fish fillets to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's imports of frozen fish fillets continued to decline for the third year in a row in 2021, reaching 20 157 tonnes. This represented a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 26.2%, averaging an annual decline of 9.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, China, and Vietnam were the leading sources for Portugal's imports of frozen fish fillets by volume. Spain accounted for 23.0% of imports, China for 16.1%, and Vietnam for 15.0%, together making up 54.1% of total import flows.

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

After two years of decline, Portugal's import value of frozen fish fillets increased in 2021, reaching 98.7 million US dollars, up 12.4% from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 87.8 million US dollars, a 19.2% drop from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, overall imports decreased by 23.4%, with an average annual decline of 8.5%.

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

The composition of Portugal's import value for frozen fish fillets from 2018 to 2021 was relatively dispersed. Spain accounted for 26.3% of imports, China for 11.2%, and Namibia for 10.7%, together totaling 48.2% of total flows. The remaining 51.8% was spread across a wide range of other countries.

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

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