Milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Portuguese market for milk with fat content >1% and ≤6% contracted from 550.5 thousand metric tons to 472.1 thousand metric tons, with a brief uptick to 525.6 thousand metric tons in 2020. This overall decline was primarily driven by the implementation of Instruction Normativa No. 76 in late 2018, which introduced stricter quality parameters and labeling rules for pasteurized milk, requiring industry adaptation. Concurrently, national efforts to reduce salt and sugar content in dairy products under the Healthy Eating Promotion Program began influencing consumer demand towards lighter options.

After 2021, milk production in Portugal maintained stability while the market continued to evolve. Growing demand for low-sugar and low-fat dairy items, along with rising interest in plant-based milk alternatives, reflected shifting consumer preferences. European regulatory updates on organic labeling, including Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/973, and incentives for sustainable packaging further influenced the sector's dynamics through 2025.

Production milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In Portugal, the production value of milk with fat content between 1% and 6% was 331.1 million US dollars in 2021, representing a slight year-on-year decrease of 0.9%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production declined by 7.6%, which translates to an average annual rate of 2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 318.7 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 11.0% occurring that year. In contrast, the largest increase of 4.8% was observed in 2020.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Portugal produced 554.1 thousand tonnes of milk with fat content between 1% and 6% in 2021, showing a modest drop of 6.4% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The largest increase of 4.0% was recorded in 2020.

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

Exports milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of milk with fat content between 1% and 6% from Portugal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 114.9 thousand tonnes, up by 12.5% year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 31.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and Angola remained the main markets for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 84.8% of total flows, while other partners made up the remaining share.

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

Exports of milk with fat content between 1% and 6% from Portugal have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 60 675 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 18.2% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain and Angola were the primary buyers of milk with fat content between 1% and 6% from Portugal, together accounting for 83.8% of total exports in value terms, with other countries comprising the remainder.

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

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

Imports milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, Portugal's imports of milk with fat content between 1% and 6% declined. In 2021, imports reached 32.9 thousand tonnes, marking a measured drop of 8.8% versus the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 6.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 36.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 16.5% occurring in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the country structure of imports in kind was strongly focused on Spain, which accounted for 85.6% of total flows, with other partners making up the remaining volume.

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

Imports of milk with fat content between 1% and 6% into Portugal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports registered 21 075 thousand US dollars, indicating an advance of 6.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain dominated the partner structure for imports in value terms, with a share of 81.4% of total flows, while other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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

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