Wheat and meslin market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the wheat and meslin market volume in Portugal initially stabilized at approximately 1 400 thousand tons before decreasing to 1 274 thousand tons in 2020. Domestic production remained low, averaging less than 80 thousand tons annually, highlighting the country's historical reliance on imports.

In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic considerably elevated production costs across the wheat supply chain, contributing to price volatility and a stabilized market volume of 1 250 thousand tons. National production met only 6.3% of domestic consumption, maintaining a decade-long dependence on imports, primarily from France and Spain. The following year, adverse weather conditions reduced national wheat productivity by 10%, while significantly increased prices for production inputs, exacerbated by international instability from the war in Ukraine, led to an 8% reduction in cultivated area. These factors drove the market volume down further to 1 137 thousand tons in 2022.

In 2023, the market rebounded sharply to 1 505 thousand tons, a 32% increase from 2022, as imports surged to 1 512 thousand tons. This growth occurred despite continued volatility and upward pressure on wheat prices and production costs, while domestic production fell to 35 thousand tons.

Production wheat and meslin in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2018-2021

Portugal's wheat and meslin production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2021, the country produced 69 440 tonnes, which represents a 16.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 83 500 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 9.9%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Portugal's wheat and meslin export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 4 000 tonnes, marking a significant 63.3% drop from 2020 levels. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 88.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -51.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Portugal's wheat and meslin exports were almost exclusively directed to Spain, which accounted for 99.7% of total export volumes.

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 wheat and meslin export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 1.6 million US dollars, showing a sharp 48.3% decrease compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, export values fell by 81.4%, representing an annualized decline of 43.0%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Portugal's wheat and meslin export value was almost entirely tied to Spain, which accounted for 99.6% 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 wheat and meslin to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Portugal's wheat and meslin import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 1 184 000 tonnes, representing a 1.5% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import volumes decreased by 14.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, France, Spain, and Bulgaria remained the main suppliers of wheat and meslin to Portugal, accounting for 51.1%, 12.1%, and 10.0% of import volumes respectively. Together, these three countries formed 73.2% of Portugal's total wheat and meslin 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, M $ US

After two years of decline, Portugal's wheat and meslin import value increased in 2021. The country imported 358.5 million US dollars worth of wheat and meslin, representing a 23.0% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import values rose by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 291.5 million US dollars, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 7.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, France, Spain, and Bulgaria were the main sources of Portugal's wheat and meslin imports by value, accounting for 50.7%, 13.2%, and 8.9% respectively. Together, these three markets represented 72.9% of Portugal's 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