Plastic packaging and closures market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese market for plastic packaging and closures expanded from USD 631.1 million in 2019 to USD 782.5 million in 2021, a 24% increase over two years. This growth occurred alongside the European Parliament's 2019 ban on certain single-use plastic items and Portugal's transposition of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive into national law in 2021. These regulatory measures, which included prohibiting free single-use plastic bags and mandating reusable or biodegradable tableware in food service from September 2021, likely accelerated a shift towards higher-value sustainable packaging solutions, contributing to the market's increased valuation. Domestic production also rose significantly, from USD 589.0 million to USD 711.8 million over the same period.

The market's evolution continued from 2022 onward, shaped by further regulatory action and capacity expansion. The inauguration of a new injection molding and assembly plant by Portuguese packaging manufacturer Indumel in 2022 directly increased local production capabilities. Concurrently, the implementation of a deposit return system for beverage containers, new levies on single-use plastic packaging for ready-to-eat meals, and stricter rules on plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables reinforced the push towards a circular economy. These developments were accompanied by steady growth in imports, which reached USD 462.6 million by 2025, indicating sustained domestic demand.

Regulatory and market pressures for sustainability became a defining feature in the latter part of the period. The EU regulation on recycled plastic for food contact materials, applicable from late 2022, alongside growing industry adoption of post-consumer recycled content and smart packaging technologies, underscored a broader transition. This focus on circularity and innovation in materials helped shape the market landscape, even as import values fluctuated.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Portugal's production of plastic packaging and closures grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 711.8 million US dollars, up 19.1% from the previous year. From 2019 to 2021, production rose by 20.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%.

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

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Portugal's exports of plastic packaging and closures fell for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country shipped 66.3 thousand tonnes, down 8.1% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports dropped by 19%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 6.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and Angola were the top destinations for Portugal's plastic packaging and closures exports by volume. Spain accounted for 58.7% of exports, France for 6.6%, and Angola for 5.9%, together making up 71.1% 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, M $ US

After two years of decline, Portugal's exports of plastic packaging and closures rebounded in value. In 2021, exports totaled 289.2 million US dollars, a sharp increase of 20.1% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 8.6%, with an average annual rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 240.8 million US dollars, marking the largest decline of 6.7% that year.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom were the leading partners for Portugal's plastic packaging and closures exports by value. Spain represented 46.4% of exports, France 9.7%, and the United Kingdom 8.7%, collectively accounting for 64.8% of total 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 plastic packaging and closures to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Portugal's imports of plastic packaging and closures increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports stood at 107.0 thousand tonnes, a modest rise of 2.8% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 9.5%, with an average annual increase of 3.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Germany, and France were the primary sources for Portugal's plastic packaging and closures imports by volume. Spain supplied 65.3% of imports, Germany 7.7%, and France 5.0%, together comprising 78.0% of total 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 imports of plastic packaging and closures rose in value for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 359.9 million US dollars, up 16.7% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 16.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 300.1 million US dollars, when the largest decline of 2.7% occurred.

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

In the period from 2018 to 2021, Spain, Germany, and France were the key markets for Portugal's plastic packaging and closures imports by value. Spain accounted for 55.2% of imports, Germany for 10.3%, and France for 6.7%, together making up 72.1% of total flows.

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

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