Poultry meat and offal market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Portugal's poultry meat market volume more than doubled, reaching 808 thousand tonnes. This expansion was primarily driven by a sharp increase in domestic production, which grew from 358 thousand tonnes to 759 thousand tonnes. The growth coincided with the continuous reinforcement of origin labeling rules for fresh, chilled, and frozen poultry, mandated since 2015 and applied through national legislation such as Decreto-Lei 26/2016. These regulations enhanced transparency and consumer confidence in locally produced meat, supporting a shift in supply.

Further regulatory developments raised quality standards. The 2023 technical clarification from DGAV mandated the display of the first freezing date on labels for frozen poultry products, a requirement discussed since 2019 and formally published in 2022. This move towards greater traceability, along with sustained origin labeling enforcement, encouraged investments in domestic processing and slaughtering facilities, aligning with the production surge of nearly 80% in 2021 to 718 thousand tonnes.

Consequently, the market volume maintained an upward trajectory, surpassing 800 thousand tonnes by 2023. While imports initially declined and then gradually recovered, the consistent regulatory focus on labeling and traceability underpinned the market's production-led expansion throughout the period.

Production poultry meat and offal in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In Portugal, the output value of poultry meat and offal reached 860.2 million US dollars in 2020, marking a modest 7.1% increase from the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2019 at 803.3 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 0.1%. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, overall production grew by 7%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2018-2021

Poultry meat and offal production in Portugal has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 717.5 thousand tonnes, up 79.8% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production surged by 100.4%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 26.1%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Portugal's exports of poultry meat and offal by volume rebounded. In 2021, exports totaled 36 539 tonnes, a 48.7% increase from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 24 579 tonnes, with the largest drop occurring in 2019 at 27.8%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 2.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and Angola were the primary destinations for Portugal's poultry meat and offal exports by volume. Spain accounted for 42.0% of exports, France for 9.5%, and Angola for 5.8%, together making up 57.3% of total export volumes.

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 a two-year reduction, the value of poultry meat and offal exports from Portugal saw a significant uptick. In 2021, exports amounted to 60.2 million US dollars, a sharp 68.1% year-over-year increase. The lowest value was in 2020 at 35.8 million US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 35.6%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 3.4%, corresponding to an annualized decrease of 1.2%.

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

During 2018–2021, Spain, France, and Angola led in the value of poultry meat and offal exports from Portugal. Spain contributed 46.2% of export value, France 9.8%, and Angola 8.3%, collectively accounting for 64.3% 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 poultry meat and offal to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year reduction, Portugal's imports of poultry meat and offal by volume stabilized. In 2021, imports reached 66 740 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 66 533 tonnes, with the largest decline also in 2020 at 9.4%. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 16.1%, which translates to an annualized drop of 5.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and Italy were the top sources for Portugal's poultry meat and offal imports by volume. Spain made up 59.0% of imports, France 9.4%, and Italy 8.2%, together representing 76.6% of total import volumes.

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

Following a two-year contraction, the value of poultry meat and offal imports into Portugal rose. In 2021, imports came to 176.3 million US dollars, a substantial 10.3% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 159.8 million US dollars, with the largest decline also in 2020 at 17.7%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%.

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

In 2018–2021, Spain, Italy, and Germany remained the main suppliers of poultry meat and offal to Portugal by value. Spain accounted for 61.3% of import value, Italy for 10.4%, and Germany for 9.4%, jointly forming 81.0% 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