Walnuts market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The walnut market volume in Portugal grew from 7.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 11.1 thousand tons in 2023, despite fluctuations in intermediate years. This expansion was underpinned by a sustained increase in walnut orchard area, which more than doubled since 2010, and rising investments in cultivation and processing driven by recognized market opportunities and health-conscious demand.

A key milestone was the 2020 inauguration of Europe's largest walnut processing plant by Nogam, which introduced vertical integration from nursery to sales. In 2021, supply shortages from Chile and quality issues in other regions pushed prices upward, further stimulating domestic production. Although market volume dipped in 2020 and 2022, the underlying trend remained positive due to mechanization of harvesting, innovation in value-added products, and steady consumer preference for healthy, fresh walnuts available year-round.

Production walnuts in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of walnuts, 2018-2021

World map of production of walnuts, 2018-2021

In 2021, Portugal produced 7 540 tons of walnuts, marking a sharp increase of 47.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 58.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when production fell by 17.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of walnut production in Portugal reached 37 273 thousand US dollars, representing a significant rise of 65.3% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value increased by 46.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 22 552 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 27.9%.

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

Exports walnuts from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Portugal's walnut exports declined in 2021. The country exported 346 tons of walnuts, showing a moderate decrease of 5.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports overall increased by 3.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 364 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 7.0% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and Italy were the dominant markets for Portugal's walnut exports in volume terms. Spain accounted for 48.7% of total exports, and Italy for 31.4%, together making up 80.2% of the total. Other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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, the value of walnut exports from Portugal totaled 1 710 thousand US dollars, up by 6.4% year-over-year. However, between 2018 and 2021, export value decreased by 5%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 606 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 821 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with an 11.8% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Spain, Italy, and Angola—collectively accounted for 80.2% of the total value of walnut exports from Portugal.

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

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

Imports walnuts to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's walnut imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. The country imported 3 719 tons of walnuts, up by 3.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 5.5%, with an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 358 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 7.3% rise.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, Chile, and France were the top contributors to Portugal's walnut imports in volume terms. Spain accounted for 30.3% of imports, Chile for 25.2%, and France for 16.2%, together making up 71.8% of total imports.

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 walnut imports increased in volume for the second consecutive year in 2021, but the value remained relatively stable year-over-year. The country imported walnuts worth 21 472 thousand US dollars. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 13.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 394 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 18.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 4.8% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Chile, and Germany were the leading sources for Portugal's walnut imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 27.9% of imports, Chile for 24.3%, and Germany for 19.2%, together representing 71.4% of total import value.

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

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