Processed liquid milk market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The market for processed liquid milk in Portugal showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. The introduction of stricter labeling and commercialization rules under Decree-Law No. 62/2017 in 2018 likely contributed to adjusted production and market dynamics, coinciding with a decline in market volume to 618 thousand tons in 2019. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred at-home consumption, helping to lift the market back to 647 thousand tons. By 2021, however, the market contracted to 588 thousand tons, a period when the industry focused on valorizing domestic UHT milk and investing in innovation, though external pressures such as drought and rising costs began to emerge.

Beyond 2021, trade patterns shifted markedly, with exports rising from 122 thousand tons in 2021 to 152 thousand tons in 2025, while imports fell from 51 thousand tons to 31 thousand tons over the same period. This rebalancing occurred alongside structural changes in the sector: a severe drought and soaring feed costs reduced milk output in 2022, and the merger of three major cooperatives created a single entity controlling more than 60% of the market. These developments highlight the industry's consolidation and its response to economic and environmental challenges, supported by ongoing public and private investments in sustainability and efficiency.

Production processed liquid milk in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Portugal's processed liquid milk production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 403.5 million US dollars, remaining flat compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 378.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 11.7%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 6.2%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2021, Portugal produced 659.5 thousand tonnes of processed liquid milk, down by 5.3% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 7.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 7.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a rise of 4.7%.

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

Exports processed liquid milk from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Portugal's processed liquid milk exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totalled 121.7 thousand tonnes, indicating a robust rise of 16.0% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 29.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and Angola remained the key destinations for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 84.6% of total flows. Other partners were much less significant individually.

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

In 2021, cross-border shipments of processed liquid milk from Portugal amounted to 64 320 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a robust gain of 21.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 21.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 53 053 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 0.9%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Spain and Angola clearly dominated the partner structure for exports in value terms, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

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

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

Imports processed liquid milk to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Processed liquid milk volumes imported by Portugal declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Portugal imported a total of value_last_year thousand tonnes of processed liquid milk, down by 9.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 13.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain remained the main destination for imports in kind, taking 88.0% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed across various smaller markets.

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

Portugal's processed liquid milk import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Portugal imported approximately 35 642 thousand US dollars of processed liquid milk, indicating a moderate advance of 5.7% over the past year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 5.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 32 337 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 4.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the country structure of imports in value terms was strongly focused on Spain, whose share reached 84.6% of total flows. Other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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

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