Kiwifruit market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Portuguese kiwifruit market volume more than doubled, rising from 25 316 t to 45 521 t. This expansion was driven by a continuous increase in planted area as new farmers entered the sector, attracted by the crop's high profitability. Investments in cold storage and robotic technology by major players like Kiwigreensun supported larger output, while the introduction of new yellow and red kiwifruit varieties broadened the product range. Although the COVID-19 pandemic modestly slowed the pace of new plantings in 2020, strong international demand, particularly from Spain, kept exports and production climbing.

Market volume then contracted, falling to 35 974 t in 2022 and 29 296 t in 2023. The 2022 harvest saw lower fruit caliber and Brix levels, reducing production, while export volumes surged by 25% in volume and 28% in value. This combination of lower domestic output and increased shipments abroad significantly reduced the quantity available for the local market, leading to the decline.

Production kiwifruit in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal ranked 9th globally in kiwifruit production from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of kiwifruit, 2018-2021

World map of production of kiwifruit, 2018-2021

Portugal's kiwifruit production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 55 460 tonnes, marking a 21.0% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production rose by 62.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 17.6%.

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

Exports kiwifruit from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Portugal's kiwifruit exports rebounded. In 2021, exports reached 23 978 tonnes, representing a significant year-over-year increase of 50.5%. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 26.3%, with an annualized rate of 8.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 15 931 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the dominant market for Portugal's kiwifruit exports in volume, accounting for 78.2% of total flows, while other markets made up the remainder.

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 kiwifruit export values showed notable fluctuations during the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 23 803 thousand US dollars, with a decline of 11.2% that year. Exports then peaked in 2021 at 48 627 thousand US dollars, up 73.0% year-over-year, resulting in a two-fold difference between the peak and trough.

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

In value terms from 2018 to 2021, Spain accounted for 78.2% of Portugal's total kiwifruit exports, with the rest distributed among a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports kiwifruit to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's kiwifruit imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 14 039 tonnes, a sharp rise of 37.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 37.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 9 428 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain (40.5% of import volume), Belgium (27.3%), and Greece (9.5%) consistently led Portugal's kiwifruit import structure, together representing 77.3% 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 kiwifruit import values rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 33 759 thousand US dollars, a 55.6% increase from the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, import values surged by 90.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 24.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 15 747 thousand US dollars, with a decline of 11.1% that year.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain (38.4% of import value), Belgium (36.8%), and Chile (7.6%) formed the core group of partners for Portugal's kiwifruit imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 82.9% 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