Printing, writing and drawing inks market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Portuguese printing inks market featured numerous small and medium enterprises, with the top five players accounting for 53% of turnover. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the market value increased to 109.3 million US dollars in 2020 as the construction and industrial sectors remained above pre-pandemic levels and exports grew. However, market volume in tons decreased to 8 472 tons, indicating a shift in product mix or price increases.

Recovery continued in 2021, with market volume rising to 8 551 tons and value reaching 120.9 million US dollars. This growth was supported by post-pandemic rebound and investments in digital printing technology, such as the installation of an advanced LED inkjet printer in Lisbon, which expanded production capacity. Growing demand from digital printing and packaging applications further stimulated ink consumption.

By 2023, market volume had contracted significantly to 6 852 tons, while value stood at 103.8 million US dollars. Stricter environmental regulations, particularly regarding toxic metals and inorganic solvents, required formulation changes and affected market dynamics. Additionally, high investment costs for digital printing equipment posed a constraint. The market simultaneously shifted towards eco-friendly inks and digital technologies, with inkjet printing dominating the digital segment and solvent-based formulations maintaining leadership despite regulatory pressures.

Production printing, writing and drawing inks in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Portugal's output of printing, writing, and drawing inks was valued at 6,457 thousand US dollars, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 16.7%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during this period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2021 at 1,077 tonnes, down by 33.2% compared to 2020, after peaking in 2020 with a 1.5-fold difference between these years.

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

Exports printing, writing and drawing inks from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their minimum in 2020 at 320 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 37.9%. In 2021, Portugal's exports of printing, writing, and drawing inks surged to 680 tonnes, up by 112.5% from the previous year, representing a 2.1-fold increase from the 2020 low.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Angola, and France were consistently the main destinations for Portugal's exports in kind, accounting for 77.4% of total flows. Spain led with 51.7%, followed by Angola at 16.3%, and France at 9.5%.

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

Portugal's exports of printing, writing, and drawing inks increased for the second consecutive year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 41.3%. In 2020, exports saw the largest increase at 53.5%, and by 2021, they reached 27.9 million US dollars, up by 39.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 25.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain, Poland, and Hungary formed the core group of markets for Portugal's exports in value terms, together representing 57.9% of total flows. Spain accounted for 37.8%, Poland for 11.5%, and Hungary for 8.5%.

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

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

Imports printing, writing and drawing inks to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal imported approximately 8,155 tonnes of printing, writing, and drawing inks in 2021, reflecting a substantial gain of 13.6% compared to the previous year. Imports peaked in 2019 at 8,732 tonnes and dropped to their minimum in 2020 at 7,180 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 17.8%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 3.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Germany, and Italy accounted for the largest share of Portugal's imports in kind, together comprising 81.9% of total flows. Spain led with 44.6%, followed by Germany at 31.2%, and Italy at 6.1%.

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 printing, writing, and drawing inks increased for the second consecutive year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 117.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 5.8%. In 2021, imports stood at 142.3 million US dollars, up by 17.0% versus the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%.

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

In 2018-2021, three main markets—Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands—together absorbed 84.2% of total imports in value terms of printing, writing, and drawing inks to Portugal.

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

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