Patent leather, patent laminated leather and metallised leather market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for patent leather in Portugal contracted sharply, with volume falling from 1.4 million m² to 642 thousand m² and value dropping from $26 million to $12.6 million. Domestic production, which was already minimal, declined further over this period.

By 2022, market volume had recovered to 719 thousand m², while value stabilized at $12.2 million. This shift coincided with the implementation of Decreto-Lei n.º 3/2022, which defined the term 'leather' and set authenticity standards, likely strengthening consumer confidence and import flows. Simultaneously, the expansion of international luxury groups like LVMH in Europe introduced new supply and reinforced trends toward sustainability and ethical sourcing.

The regulatory framework continued to shape the market in subsequent years, with the decree fully enforced by 2024. Consumer demand increasingly favored high-quality, sustainable leather goods, supporting innovation in synthetic and lab-grown alternatives while import volumes gradually adjusted to the new market conditions.

Production patent leather and metallised leather in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's production of patent leather, patent laminated leather, and metallised leather has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 413 thousand US dollars, marking a significant drop of 14.8% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production fell by 63.7%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 28.7%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, m²

Portugal's production volume of patent leather, patent laminated leather, and metallised leather has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 11,601 square meters, showing a sharp decline of 11.6% from the year before. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production dropped by 68%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -31.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, m²

Exports patent leather and metallised leather from Portugal

Exports in kind, K m²

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018, while the maximum reached 210 thousand square meters in 2019, representing a 5.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, exports from Portugal stood at 47 thousand square meters, a modest increase of 3.3% compared to the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 78.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, at 451.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K m²

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Italy, and Venezuela were the top contributors to Portugal's exports in volume terms. Spain accounted for 34.3% of exports, Italy for 18.6%, and Venezuela for 11.5%. Together, these three countries made up 64.3% 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, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019 at 5,936 thousand US dollars, with a 6.8-fold variation between these years. In 2021, exports amounted to 1,280 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 28.0% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, at 83.2%, while the biggest rise occurred in 2019, at 582.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom remained the primary markets for Portugal's exports in value terms. Spain held a 46.2% share, Italy 17.9%, and the United Kingdom 12.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 76.3% 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 patent leather and metallised leather to Portugal

Imports in kind, K m²

Following a two-year decline, Portugal's imports of patent leather, patent laminated leather, and metallised leather increased in volume. In 2021, imports reached 785 thousand square meters, reflecting a rise of 16.1% from the year before. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 45.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 18.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 676 thousand square meters, with the largest drop occurring in 2019 at 37.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K m²

From 2018 to 2021, Italy was the main supplier of patent leather, patent laminated leather, and metallised leather to Portugal, capturing 78.5% of total imports in volume. Other trading partners held relatively small shares.

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

After a two-year decrease, Portugal's imports of patent leather, patent laminated leather, and metallised leather saw an uptick in value. In 2021, imports totaled 13,307 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a slight increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 48.4%, which equates to an annualized decline of 19.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 13,141 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline also in 2020 at 32.6%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Italy, which accounted for 80.8% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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