Rye market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

During the initial years, the Portuguese rye market saw moderate shifts. Regional production declines in 2018, such as a 3% drop in Trás-os-Montes, limited domestic supply, while established processors like Moagem do Loreto maintained milling activity for baking flour. The near-total halt of exports in 2019 redirected available volumes inward, yet market size only edged up to 40 224 tonnes as imports rose. By 2020, the market contracted to 37 772 tonnes.

A dramatic surge followed in 2021, with market volume jumping 43% to 54 005 tonnes, fueled largely by a sharp increase in imports. This expansion was abruptly cut short in 2022 when the war in Ukraine disrupted global supply chains, drove up energy and raw material costs, and caused import shortages, slashing the market by 27% to 39 392 tonnes. Shifting consumer preferences towards sustainable and local products also began influencing demand during this period.

In 2023, the market recovered slightly to 41 862 tonnes. Continued inflationary pressures from the conflict kept production costs elevated, but growing demand for organic and whole-grain rye, supported by health-conscious consumers, helped lift volumes. Investments in seed innovation by firms like Lusosem and the rise of e-commerce further shaped the market's evolution.

Production rye in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of rye, 2018-2021

World map of production of rye, 2018-2021

Portugal produced 16 580 tonnes of rye in 2021, representing a gradual 6.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production declined by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 17 750 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.7%.

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

Exports rye from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Rye exports from Portugal reached their lowest point in 2021 at just 0.4 tonnes, marking a dramatic 99.2% decline from the previous year. The peak occurred in 2020, creating a staggering 123-fold difference between the highest and lowest export volumes.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain completely dominated Portugal's rye exports, accounting for 100.0% of all shipments in volume terms.

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

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Portugal's rye exports in value terms dropped to 1 000 US dollars in 2021, reflecting a substantial 98.4% decrease year-over-year. Export values fluctuated dramatically, with a 62-fold difference between the 2020 peak and the 2021 low.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, the export market structure remained highly concentrated, with Spain responsible for 100.0% of Portugal's rye exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports rye to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Rye imports to Portugal reached their lowest point in 2020 at 20 072 tonnes, then surged to 37 425 tonnes in 2021 - an 86.5% year-over-year increase. This created a 1.9-fold difference between the 2020 low and 2021 peak. The largest annual decline occurred in 2020, when imports fell by 14.3%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain and Poland dominated Portugal's rye imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 81.7% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller market shares.

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

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Portugal's rye imports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2020 at 4 183 000 US dollars, then jumped to 9 700 000 US dollars in 2021 - a remarkable 131.9% increase compared to the previous year. This created a 2.3-fold difference between the 2020 low and 2021 high. The largest annual decline occurred in 2020, when import values fell by 14.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and Poland served as the core markets for Portugal's rye imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.7% of total flows, while other destinations maintained comparatively modest shares.

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

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