Fungicides market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fungicides in Portugal contracted sharply from 16 913 t in 2018 to 8 158 t in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by the mandatory adoption of integrated pest management practices under Law No. 26/2013, which came into force in 2014, and the sustained implementation of the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products (PANUSPF 2018-2023). These regulations encouraged farmers to reduce chemical inputs and switch to alternative control methods, leading to a consistent drop in fungicide consumption.

Despite the volume contraction, the market value increased from 52.5 million USD in 2018 to 70.3 million USD in 2023. This rise reflects a shift towards higher-value products, including new formulations with novel modes of action and a growing share of inorganic fungicides such as sulfur. In 2024, sulfur accounted for about 60% of the total fungicide value, indicating a premiumization trend. Investments by major players like Syngenta in developing advanced molecules further supported this structural change.

The market also felt the impact of broader factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which temporarily affected demand patterns. Ongoing regulatory pressure, including the withdrawal of products containing active substances not re-approved in the EU, continued to shape the market through 2023 and beyond. Fungicides remained the largest category of plant protection products in Portugal, but the long-term trend points to reduced volumes and greater emphasis on sustainable practices.

Production fungicides in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's fungicides production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 36 499 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 7.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production grew by 33%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Fungicides production volume in Portugal declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 6 948 tonnes were produced, representing a controlled 4.6% decrease from 2019. From 2018 to 2020, production fell by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.2%.

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

Exports fungicides from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal's fungicides exports reached 6 326 tonnes, a 19.3% increase from 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 5 304 tonnes, which marked the largest decline of 12.4% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 15.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Italy, and France remained the main markets for Portugal's fungicides exports in volume terms. Spain accounted for 43.7% of exports, Italy for 16.0%, and France for 14.8%, together representing 74.5% of total 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

In 2021, Portugal's fungicides exports were valued at 50 939 thousand US dollars, up 18.4% from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 4.8% drop. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 26%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.0%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain, Italy, and France were the three largest markets for Portugal's fungicides exports in value terms, together accounting for 76.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports fungicides to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's fungicides import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totalled 11 836 tonnes, remaining relatively stable compared to 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 452 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 12.5% from 2018. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 2.9% rise. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany accounted for the largest share of Portugal's fungicides imports in volume terms. Spain represented 43.9% of imports, the United Kingdom 22.1%, and Germany 6.8%, together comprising 72.8% of total 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, K $ US

Portugal's fungicides import value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totalled 76 449 thousand US dollars, up 16.2% from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 59 008 thousand US dollars, which marked the largest decline of 9.8% compared to 2018. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 16.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.3%.

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

In 2018-2021, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France were the three principal markets for Portugal's fungicides imports in value terms, together accounting for 68.7% of total flows.

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

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