NPK fertilizers market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Portugal had the lowest synthetic fertilizer consumption per hectare in the EU, with the NPK fertilizers market volume at 148.3 thousand tons. The market expanded to 205.6 thousand tons in 2019, before contracting to 192.4 thousand tons in 2020. This period saw a continued industry trend toward organic and organomineral alternatives, with official registration of organomineral NPK fertilizers authorized until 2025, broadening the available product range for farmers.

From 2021, imports of NPK fertilizers fluctuated, reaching a peak of 186.1 thousand tons in 2024, while exports declined to a low of 103.2 thousand tons in 2023 before recovering. In July 2022, new national decree-laws implemented stricter market placement rules for fertilizers, aligning with EU Regulation 2019/1009 and mandating registration in the National Register. Concurrently, product innovation advanced with the launch of specialized lines like YaraRega™ soluble complex fertilizers for fertigation, targeting professional horticulture and woody crops to improve nutrient efficiency and yields.

Production NPK fertilizers in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2020, Portugal's NPK fertilizer production was valued at 79 342 thousand US dollars, marking a 9.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production declined by 7.5%, with an average annual growth rate of -2.6%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 87 275 thousand US dollars, which represented a 1.7% increase from 2018.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2020, Portugal produced 250.6 thousand tonnes of NPK fertilizers, showing a moderate 8.2% decline compared to 2019. From 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 4.6%, with an average annual growth rate of -1.6%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 273.0 thousand tonnes, which was a 3.9% increase from the previous year.

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

Exports NPK fertilizers from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Portugal's NPK fertilizer export volume increased in 2021 after two consecutive years of decline. Exports reached 187.2 thousand tonnes, representing a 7.3% year-over-year uptick. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 21.1%, with an average annual growth rate of -7.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 174.6 thousand tonnes, following the largest decline of 25.5% in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the dominant destination for Portugal's NPK fertilizer exports in volume terms, accounting for 90.9% 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

Portugal's NPK fertilizer exports increased in 2021 after two years of contraction. The export value reached 81 080 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep 43.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 11.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 56 447 thousand US dollars, following the largest decline of 21.4% in 2019.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain dominated Portugal's NPK fertilizer export structure in value terms, accounting for 83.4% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports NPK fertilizers to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Portugal's NPK fertilizer imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Import volume totaled 140.6 thousand tonnes, indicating a solid 20.8% rise versus the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 14.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 109.4 thousand tonnes, which represented an 11.1% decline from 2018.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the dominant source for Portugal's NPK fertilizer imports in volume terms, accounting for 85.1% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among several smaller markets.

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 NPK fertilizer import value increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Imports totaled 62 993 thousand US dollars, showing a 46.5% year-over-year rise. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 27%, equating to an 8.3% annualized growth rate. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 41 475 thousand US dollars, which represented a 16.4% decline from the previous year.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain dominated Portugal's NPK fertilizer import structure in value terms, with a share of 85.9% of total flows; 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