Pasta and couscous market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese pasta and couscous market volume grew from 98 389 t in 2018 to 104 795 t in 2020. This expansion was supported by the digitalization of the food retail sector and a consumer shift towards online channels, alongside a broader trend for healthy eating. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated demand as home cooking increased, boosting sales of staple products like pasta and couscous.

Market growth continued, reaching 105 668 t in 2021 and 114 893 t in 2022. The strong rise in e-commerce facilitated easier product access for consumers. However, 2022 was marked by supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages, which drove up production costs and contributed to significant inflation. Despite these price pressures, per capita pasta consumption in Portugal increased, reinforcing its staple role in the national diet.

Subsequent years saw the retail landscape reshape with the expansion of discount chains and the growing market share of players like Mercadona. Industry operations were further influenced by new legislation on price transparency and extended producer responsibility for packaging waste, while digitalization continued to alter online shopping demographics and business strategies.

Production pasta and couscous in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Portugal's pasta and couscous production was valued at 84 037 thousand US dollars, marking a 4.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 12.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Portugal produced 80 299 tonnes of pasta and couscous, which represents a 3.1% decrease compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, overall production increased by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

Exports pasta and couscous from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Pasta and couscous exports from Portugal have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 20 493 tonnes, showing minimal change from the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 23.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Portugal's pasta and couscous exports in volume terms were Spain, accounting for 42.4% of exports, South Africa at 11.2%, and France at 7.4%. Together, these three countries represented 61.0% 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

Pasta and couscous exports from Portugal have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Portugal exported 29.0 million US dollars worth of these products, reflecting a strong 23.7% rise over the past year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 45.6%, with an average annual rate of 13.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 17.1 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 13.9%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 36.7% jump.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the key partners for Portugal's pasta and couscous exports in value terms were Spain, with 44.9% of exports, France at 14.1%, and Angola at 6.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.7% 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 pasta and couscous to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal imported approximately 45 862 tonnes of pasta and couscous, an 8.3% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 13.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, at 1.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for Portugal's pasta and couscous imports in volume terms were Spain, representing 49.3% of imports, Italy at 18.1%, and France at 15.6%. Together, these three countries made up 83.0% 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's pasta and couscous imports have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 113.5 million US dollars, showing a 12.2% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 18.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the primary markets for Portugal's pasta and couscous imports in value terms were Spain, accounting for 53.2% of imports, France at 15.7%, and Italy at 13.6%. These three countries jointly represented 82.5% 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