Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in Portugal remained relatively stable, with market size hovering around 222 million dollars in 2018 and 2019. Traditional artisanal production methods upheld by family businesses and specialized companies, along with stringent food safety certifications like HACCP, provided a foundation for market resilience. In 2020, the market size declined to 213.7 million dollars, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced meat consumption as rising prices and cost of living pressured household budgets.

After 2020, import values demonstrated strong growth, rising from 62.4 million dollars in 2021 to 110.8 million dollars in 2025. This expansion coincided with the entry of new regional players specializing in traditional charcuterie and the increased adoption of advanced brining techniques to enhance product quality and flavor. In 2022, shifting consumer preferences toward artisanal and regional products, such as Presunto do Marão, further supported demand for premium offerings. Exports also grew from 17.5 million dollars in 2021 to 23.2 million dollars in 2025, reflecting sustained international interest in Portuguese specialties.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Portugal's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 169.8 million US dollars, marking a controlled drop of 3.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production decreased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Portugal ranked as the 21st largest producer of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2018-2021

World map of production of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2018-2021

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production volume peaked in 2019 and hit its lowest point in 2021, with a 10.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Portugal produced 2.6 thousand tonnes of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork, representing a sharp decrease of 89.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 27.5 thousand tonnes, while the minimum was in 2021 at 2.6 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2021 at 89.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 1.4%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Portugal's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork increased in 2021. Exports reached 2 746 tonnes, showing a 7.9% uptick compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 544 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and Angola were the main markets for Portugal's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in volume terms. Spain accounted for 39.7% of exports, France for 19.1%, and Angola for 15.9%, together making up 74.8% of total flows.

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

Portugal's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports were valued at 17 512 thousand US dollars, marking a gain of 24.5% relative to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 682 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 25.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and Angola were the principal destinations for Portugal's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in value terms. Spain held a 37.3% share, France 20.8%, and Angola 14.0%, jointly accounting for 72.1% of total 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 salted, brined, dried or smoked pork to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork amounted to 9 996 tonnes, which is 13.1% more year-on-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 8 842 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 9.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain clearly dominated Portugal's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in volume terms, taking 84.0% of total flows, while other countries each held significantly smaller 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

Portugal imported 62 378 thousand US dollars worth of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in 2021, up by 7.5% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 9.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 3.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the country structure of Portugal's imports in value terms was strongly focused on Spain, whose share reached 81.9% of total flows, with other partners accounting 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