Tissues and towels of paper market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

In the initial years of the period, demand for paper tissues and towels in Portugal grew steadily, supported by rising living standards and the expansion of e-commerce. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 sharply accelerated this trend, as heightened hygiene practices increased consumption both in households and in healthcare settings, where hospitals required higher levels of sanitation and disposable paper products.

Subsequent years saw supply chain pressures, with paper shortages and rising raw material costs due to global demand-supply imbalances. This led to uncontrolled price increases in the market, evident in the rising market value even as physical production volumes stabilized. Strong demand persisted, fueled by continued growth in online shopping and shifts in consumer behavior favoring convenience. Portuguese industry players like Navigator adapted by increasing investments and focusing on innovation, developing functional papers and integrated solutions.

By 2023-2024, the market continued to grow in value terms despite some volatility in volume. A significant expansion in export volumes, particularly in 2023 and a pronounced surge in 2025, points to the growing international competitiveness of Portugal's paper products, sustained by innovation and the ongoing influence of e-commerce on demand patterns.

Production tissues and towels of paper in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Portugal's output of tissues and towels of paper was valued at 107.8 million US dollars, marking a 4.5% increase compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Portugal produced 54 948 tonnes of tissues and towels of paper, which represents a 2.0% decrease from 2020.

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

Exports tissues and towels of paper from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Portugal's exports of tissues and towels of paper declined in 2021. The country exported 28 579 tonnes that year, reflecting a modest 6.6% drop from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports overall increased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 30 585 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and France were the dominant destinations for Portugal's exports of tissues and towels of paper in kind, together accounting for 80.4% of total flows, while other markets had smaller individual shares.

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

In 2021, Portugal exported 55 682 thousand US dollars worth of tissues and towels of paper, indicating a slight decrease of 1.6% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports in value terms grew by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 52 372 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.6%. In contrast, the peak value occurred in 2020 at 56 572 thousand US dollars, accompanied by the highest increase of 8.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom were the largest buyers of tissues and towels of paper from Portugal in value terms. Spain accounted for 68.2% of exports, France for 9.4%, and the United Kingdom for 4.3%, collectively forming 81.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports tissues and towels of paper to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's imports of tissues and towels of paper increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. The country imported 14 712 tonnes that year, amounting to a significant 11.1% rise from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 3.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 12 845 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 9.3%.

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

During 2018-2021, Spain remained the dominant partner for Portugal's imports of tissues and towels of paper in kind, holding a 79.7% share of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail of smaller contributions.

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's imports of tissues and towels of paper in value terms increased for the second year in a row in 2021. The country imported 25 319 thousand US dollars worth of these products that year, showing a moderate gain of 8.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, imports decreased by 4.7%, with an annualized rate of decline of 1.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 25 319 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 13.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the key supplier of tissues and towels of paper to Portugal in value terms, accounting for 76.8% of total imports, while a diversified group of other countries made up the remainder.

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

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