Sucrose in solid form market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Portuguese market for sucrose in solid form expanded from 187.2 thousand tons to 204.7 thousand tons. This growth occurred as exports declined more sharply than production and imports, increasing the volume available domestically.

The market contracted to 159.7 thousand tons in 2021, primarily due to a drop in production. At the end of that year, the government approved Resolution No. 183/2021, an Action Plan for the chemical industry aimed at mutual recognition of goods and enhanced market surveillance. A significant recovery followed in 2022, with market volume jumping to 221.7 thousand tons. This surge was supported by the implementation of Decree-Law No. 6/2021, which enforced the EU mutual recognition regulation, reducing trade barriers for chemical products and facilitating a sharp rise in domestic production to 318.1 thousand tons. However, the market halved to 117.0 thousand tons in 2023 as production fell and exports increased. During this period, Bondalti Chemicals commenced investments to upgrade its electrical substation and replace steam production systems with electric boilers, a modernization effort that may have temporarily affected operational output.

By 2025, the sector faced stagnation pressures from high energy costs and shifts in trade policy. New regulations, including Decree-Law No. 89/2025 which amended the industrial emissions regime, introduced stricter licensing and reporting requirements for operators. Concurrently, Bondalti strengthened its market position by acquiring the Spanish company Ercros, expanding its Iberian footprint. The Portuguese government also reinforced its sustainability focus with the new Circular Economy Action Plan for 2025-2030, promoting resource efficiency across the industrial sector.

Production sucrose in solid form in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

Portugal's production of sucrose in solid form has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 230.0 K t, representing a significant decrease of 12.7% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 17.4%, with an average annual decline of 6.2%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of sucrose in solid form production in Portugal was 137.9 M $ US, showing a modest decline of 8.7% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 4.9%, with an average annual reduction of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 126.8 M $ US, while the highest was in 2020 at 151.1 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 12.6%, whereas the biggest increase was in 2020, rising by 19.2%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Portugal's exports of sucrose in solid form increased in 2021. Exports reached 163.1 K t, marking a controlled uptick of 7.6% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 28.8%, with an average annual decline of 10.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 151.6 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 20.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain accounted for 78.1% of Portugal's total exports of sucrose in solid form in kind, with the remaining share distributed among a variety of smaller destinations.

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 exports of sucrose in solid form in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 97.8 M $ US, up by 12.6% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 18%, with an average annual decline of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 86.5 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred that same year, dropping by 27.5%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain dominated Portugal's exports of sucrose in solid form in value terms, holding an 80.9% share of total flows, while other markets collectively accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Portugal's imports of sucrose in solid form in kind increased in 2021. Imports amounted to 92.8 K t, showing negligible variation compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 32.6%, with an average annual decline of 12.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 92.6 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 20.4%.

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

In the period from 2018 to 2021, Portugal's imports of sucrose in solid form in kind were primarily directed towards Spain and Cuba, which together accounted for 83.8% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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 years of decline, Portugal's imports of sucrose in solid form in value terms increased in 2021. Imports reached 53.2 M $ US, rising by 9.2% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 19.2%, with an average annual decline of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 48.7 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 24.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and Cuba concentrated the majority of Portugal's imports of sucrose in solid form in value terms, while other markets formed a less significant portion.

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

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