Uncooked pasta market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese uncooked pasta market grew from 75 847 t in 2018 to 86 869 t in 2023. This expansion was initially supported by the rapid entry and store network growth of the supermarket chain Mercadona, which improved product distribution and market access. In 2020, the COVID‑19 pandemic shifted consumer behavior towards fresh and convenient foods, significantly boosting demand for uncooked pasta and contributing to a notable volume increase.

After a brief stabilization in 2021, market growth resumed, driven by Mercadona's consolidation as the fourth‑largest supermarket chain in Portugal, which further strengthened retail availability. Rising consumer preference for fresh, artisanal, and sustainably labeled products, alongside inflationary pressures that lifted retail prices, supported both volume and value growth in 2022 and 2023.

Production uncooked pasta in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's uncooked pasta production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output reached 82 627 K $ US, marking a moderate 4.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 69 252 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 6.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 14.3% rise.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Globally, Portugal ranked as the 21st largest producer of uncooked pasta from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2018-2021

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2018-2021

Following two years of growth, Portugal's uncooked pasta production declined. In 2021, production stood at 80 059 t, representing a 3.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, overall production increased by 7.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.5%. The peak was reached in 2020 at 82 674 t, which also saw the largest increase of 10.3%.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

After two years of gains, Portugal's uncooked pasta exports declined. In 2021, exports totaled 17 046 t, remaining virtually unchanged from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 19.5%, with an annualized rate of 6.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 17 113 t, which also experienced the largest increase of 15.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain (41.2% of exports in kind), South Africa (13.2%), and Sao Tome and Principe (8.1%) formed the key group of partners for Portugal's uncooked pasta exports, collectively representing 62.5% 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 uncooked pasta exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports were valued at 14 979 K $ US, equivalent to a 10.5% year-over-year rise. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 5.7%, with an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 341 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 19.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 19.5% rise.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain (41.0% of exports in value terms), South Africa (10.2%), and Angola (8.7%) remained the key partners for Portugal's uncooked pasta exports, together accounting for 59.9% 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 uncooked pasta to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal's imports of uncooked pasta totaled 15 391 t, indicating a moderate 9.7% year-over-year advance. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 14 032 t, which saw the largest decline of 12.2%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 15 983 t.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the country structure of Portugal's uncooked pasta imports was shaped primarily by Spain and Italy, which together accounted for 80.2% of total flows; other markets formed a long tail.

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

After two years of decline, Portugal's imports of uncooked pasta increased. In 2021, imports totaled 24 350 K $ US, equivalent to a robust 18.4% uptick compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 8.9%, with an annualized rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 20 558 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 6.7%.

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

In 2018-2021, Spain (36.8% of imports in value terms), Italy (36.1%), and France (8.7%) accounted for the largest share of Portugal's uncooked pasta imports, together comprising 81.6% of total flows.

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

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