Rice market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

Portugal's rice market volume expanded from 234 thousand tons in 2018 to 267 thousand tons in 2020, supported by the country's high per capita consumption of 16 kg per year, the highest in Europe. This growth was facilitated by stable domestic production and rising imports. A temporary decline to 240 thousand tons occurred in 2021, coinciding with reported drought in Spain and Italy which affected seed availability for Portuguese growers, potentially influencing supply chains.

Market volume rebounded strongly to 273 thousand tons in 2022 and reached 311 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was driven by increased imports and a rise in domestic production. Production gains were aided by improved water availability from winter rains and completed irrigation works in the Sado Valley. Concurrently, institutional campaigns promoting European and specifically Carolino rice, which began in 2021, worked to valorize national production and sustain consumer demand.

The sector's structure, characterized by small and medium-sized enterprises and ten processing mills, remained consistent. Strategic developments included the National Rice Genetic Improvement Program, which registered four Portuguese varieties by 2021 to reduce dependence on imported seeds. By 2023, cultivated area approached 30 thousand hectares, underscoring the crop's recognized importance for food sovereignty and the stable, high-level domestic consumption.

Production rice in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of rice, 2018-2021

In 2021, Portugal produced 175.9 thousand tons of rice, marking a significant 32.5% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 9.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest production level was observed in 2020 at 132.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 17.8% during this timeframe.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, rice production in Portugal rebounded in value terms. In 2021, the output was valued at 132.9 million US dollars, representing a sharp 43.1% improvement over 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value increased by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 92.9 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 11.5%.

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

Exports rice from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, Portugal's rice export volumes showed recovery. In 2021, the country exported 96.7 thousand tons of rice, which is 13.2% higher than in 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 85.4 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Jordan, and the United Kingdom consistently served as the three largest markets for Portugal's rice exports in volume terms. Together, these countries accounted for 51.4% of total export flows during this period.

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 rice exports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 73.1 million US dollars, representing a 22.2% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 20.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 56.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.1%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Portugal's rice exports in value terms showed considerable geographical diversification. Jordan accounted for 21.5% of export value, Spain for 16.2%, and the United Kingdom for 11.2%. Together, these three markets represented 48.9% of total flows, while the remaining 51.1% was distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports rice to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Portugal's rice import volumes declined. In 2021, imports reached 161.0 thousand tons, which is 26.7% lower than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 219.6 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 19.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Guyana, Spain, and Suriname formed the core sources for Portugal's rice imports in volume terms. Guyana accounted for 38.5% of imports, Spain for 17.5%, and Suriname for 8.7%. Together, these three countries represented 64.8% of total import 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

After two consecutive years of growth, Portugal's rice imports in value terms declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 96.9 million US dollars, which is 13.5% lower than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value increased by 14.8%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 112.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 17.8%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Guyana, Spain, and Pakistan were the main sources for Portugal's rice imports in value terms. Guyana accounted for 29.8% of import value, Spain for 18.0%, and Pakistan for 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented 58.3% 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