Shelled hazelnuts market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, Portuguese production of shelled hazelnuts was in decline due to shrinking cultivated area and the abandonment of traditional orchards, a trend noted in industry reports for 2018. This domestic shortfall was met by significant imports, which supported the overall market volume even as local output fell. The growing global demand for nuts as healthy snacks provided a favorable backdrop, but the market's total size dipped in 2019 as production hit a low.

From 2020 onward, hazelnut cultivation began to be seen as a profitable investment opportunity, with emphasis on mechanization and modern intensive farming techniques. By 2022, Portuguese hazelnuts were gaining greater recognition and value from both farmers and consumers, fueled by a preference for local and sustainable products. This shift helped stabilize domestic production and contributed to a recovery in market volume, which grew to over 517 thousand tons by 2023, despite some annual fluctuations.

In the following years, import volumes of shelled hazelnuts rose substantially, reaching 620.8 thousand tons by 2025. This sustained growth in imports highlights a strong and persistent domestic demand that continued to outpace the capacity of local production, defining the market's structure through the end of the period.

Production shelled hazelnuts in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Portugal ranked 17th globally in the production of shelled hazelnuts.

Top producers of shelled hazelnuts, 2018-2021

World map of production of shelled hazelnuts, 2018-2021

In 2021, Portugal produced 97.6 t of shelled hazelnuts, marking a slight decline of 1.7% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 14.2%, with an average annual decrease of 5.0%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 86.9 t, which saw the largest decline of 23.5%. In contrast, 2020 recorded the biggest increase at 14.1%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output of shelled hazelnuts in Portugal was valued at 950 K $ US, down 10.2% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value dropped by 29.2%, averaging an annual decline of 10.9%. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 941 K $ US, with the largest decrease of 29.9% that year. The largest increase was in 2020 at 12.4%.

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

Exports shelled hazelnuts from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Exports of shelled hazelnuts from Portugal grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 7.7 t, up 23.2% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 55.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 4.9 t, which saw a decline of 2.0%. The largest increase was in 2020 at 28.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Angola, Denmark, and Morocco consistently led as the top destinations for Portugal's shelled hazelnut exports in volume terms. Angola accounted for 38.2% of exports, Denmark for 30.4%, and Morocco for 8.4%, together making up 76.9% of total export 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

Export shipments of shelled hazelnuts from Portugal rose for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 75 K $ US, showing a strong increase of 12.6% compared to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 28.4%, with an average annual rate of 8.7%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 53 K $ US, which experienced a decline of 10.1%. The largest increase was in 2020 at 26.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Angola, Denmark, and Morocco were the main destinations for Portugal's shelled hazelnut exports in value terms. Angola represented 42.6% of exports, Denmark 30.1%, and Morocco 5.8%, collectively accounting for 78.6% of total export 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 shelled hazelnuts to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Imports of shelled hazelnuts into Portugal increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 448.4 t, up 10.3% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 19.8%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 370.7 t, which saw a slight decline of 0.9%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain, Turkey, and France were the key partners for Portugal's shelled hazelnut imports in volume terms. Spain accounted for 36.7% of imports, Turkey for 33.0%, and France for 9.5%, together representing 79.1% 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, K $ US

Imports of shelled hazelnuts into Portugal grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 3 362 K $ US, reflecting a gradual increase of 6.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value increased by 30.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Turkey, and France were the three principal markets for shelled hazelnut imports into Portugal in value terms, together accounting for 78.3% 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