Oranges market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, Portugal's orange production expanded steadily, reaching 378.5 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was underpinned by record harvests in the 2018/2019 season despite adverse weather, and by ongoing investments in automation, flexible software, and artificial intelligence that enhanced efficiency in the Algarve region, which accounts for over 80% of national output.

In 2023, production dropped sharply to 278.7 thousand tons, and market volume fell to 273.4 thousand tons. The decline coincided with a global orange crisis driven by diseases such as citrus greening and extreme weather in major producing countries like Brazil and the United States, which disrupted supply chains and pushed prices upward.

The global crisis persisted into 2024, keeping juice prices at record highs and potentially increasing demand for Portuguese oranges. Producers in the Algarve continued to invest in innovation and climate‑adaptation measures, having reduced water consumption by 50% between 2009 and 2022.

Production oranges in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

On a global scale, Portugal ranked as the 26th largest producer of oranges during the period from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of oranges, 2018-2021

World map of production of oranges, 2018-2021

Portugal's orange production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 363.9 thousand tonnes of oranges, marking a 2.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 6.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.2%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of orange output in Portugal was 286.1 million US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 11.5% from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 250.9 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 323.3 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 28.8%.

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

Exports oranges from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Portugal's orange exports amounted to 127.4 thousand tonnes, showing a strong decline of 21.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 11.1%, averaging an annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 113.8 thousand tonnes, and the highest was in 2020 at 161.3 thousand tonnes. The largest increase was recorded in 2020, with a surge of 41.7%.

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 orange exports in volume terms, accounting for 72.6% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

The market exhibited volatility during this period. The lowest export value was observed in 2019 at 82.4 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 146.7 million US dollars, reflecting a 1.8-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Portugal's orange export value reached 100.2 million US dollars, amounting to a drop of 31.7% compared to 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 78.0%.

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

During 2018–2021, Spain remained the dominant direction for Portugal's orange exports in value terms, holding a share of 71.6% of total flows. The remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Imports oranges to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Portugal's orange imports totaled 129.1 thousand tonnes, corresponding to a substantial decrease of 19.5% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 16.1%, averaging an annual decline of 5.7%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 114.9 thousand tonnes, and the highest was in 2020 at 160.4 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 25.4%, while the largest increase was in 2020, with a rise of 39.6%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, South Africa and Spain consistently accounted for 90.1% of Portugal's orange imports in volume terms, indicating a high degree of concentration. The rest was spread across a long tail of 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, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during these years. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 70.5 million US dollars, and the highest was in 2020 at 137.9 million US dollars, showing a 2-fold variation between these points. In 2021, Portugal imported oranges worth 100.2 million US dollars, equivalent to a sharp decline of 35.8% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2019, with a fall of 36.6%, while the largest increase was in 2020, with a jump of 95.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Portugal's orange imports in value terms were largely oriented towards South Africa and Spain, whose combined share reached 88.8% of total flows. Other destinations played a secondary role.

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

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