Natural cork corks and stoppers market in Portugal, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for natural cork corks and stoppers in Portugal declined from 188.5 thousand tonnes to 164.4 thousand tonnes. This period coincided with a continued decrease in the number of cork companies since 2015, which reduced the sector's production capacity and contributed to the falling output.

A sharp contraction in market volume to 52.5 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021. During this time, Portuguese cork producers entered the Chinese market through the 8th China International Import Expo, targeting growth in China's wine industry. In the following years, the market continued to shrink, reaching 15.7 thousand tonnes in 2024, even as the sector introduced innovations like the NEOTECH® technology to eliminate TCA and improve cork quality, and diversified into premium segments with products such as the Amorim Top Series for spirits.

Production natural cork corks and stoppers in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Portugal's production of natural cork corks and stoppers has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 557.4 million US dollars, marking a significant drop of 20.0% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 33.9%, with an average annual decline of 12.9%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Portugal's production of natural cork corks and stoppers has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 63.0 thousand tonnes, which is 63.9% lower than in 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production dropped by 68.7%, with an average annual reduction of 32.1%.

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

Exports natural cork corks and stoppers from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Portugal's exports of natural cork corks and stoppers increased in volume. In 2021, exports reached 11 681 tonnes, up 2.8% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 17.1%, with an average annual decrease of 6.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 11 367 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, France, the United States, and Spain were the primary destinations for Portugal's exports of natural cork corks and stoppers by volume. France accounted for 23.8% of exports, the United States for 17.0%, and Spain for 13.8%, together making up 54.6% 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, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Portugal's exports of natural cork corks and stoppers increased in value. In 2021, exports totaled 529.7 million US dollars, showing a strong year-over-year growth of 10.4%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 6.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 479.7 million US dollars, and the largest drop was in 2019 at 13.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States, France, and Spain were the main markets for Portugal's exports of natural cork corks and stoppers by value. The United States represented 25.5% of exports, France 22.2%, and Spain 12.2%, together accounting for 59.8% of total export 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 natural cork corks and stoppers to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's imports of natural cork corks and stoppers declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 105 tonnes, a notable decrease of 17.1% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 11.7%, with an average annual reduction of 4.0%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 1 951 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 31.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 55.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Morocco, Spain, and Italy were consistently the main sources for Portugal's imports of natural cork corks and stoppers by volume. Morocco accounted for 33.3% of imports, Spain for 24.7%, and Italy for 21.9%, together making up 79.9% 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

Portugal imported 22.0 million US dollars worth of natural cork corks and stoppers in 2021, which is 4.3% higher than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 15.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 21.1 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 27.8 million US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2020 at 24.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 6.5%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Morocco, Spain, and Italy remained the key sources for Portugal's imports of natural cork corks and stoppers by value. Morocco represented 34.0% of imports, Spain 16.6%, and Italy 15.4%, together accounting for 65.9% of total import flows.

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

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