Wheat groats and meal market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese wheat groats and meal market volume increased from 5 623 t in 2018 to 9 369 t in 2020, with domestic production rising sharply to 4 887 t in the final year. This expansion took place within a context of high import dependency, identified in 2018 as exceeding 90% for wheat-based products. Regulatory efforts to address distribution efficiency and consumer prices began in 2019 with the assessment of market support legislation. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 drove up global wheat and flour prices due to currency shifts and supply chain pressures, which coincided with the increased output and prompted enhanced government monitoring of the value chain to mitigate supply risks.

Post-2020, industry developments focused on reducing import reliance. A 90% surge in wheat imports in early 2021 underscored supply vulnerabilities, leading to the approval of Despacho n.º 12209/2022 for consumer price monitoring. Despite a record national wheat harvest in 2022, domestic production satisfied only 6.3% of consumption. Subsequent years saw continued regulatory evolution, including discussions on incentives for local milling, the influence of EU labeling and traceability rules, pressure from the European energy crisis on milling costs, and the introduction of new origin-traceability requirements for cereals by 2025.

Production wheat groats and meal in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's wheat groats and meal production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 123 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp gain of 43.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production grew by 63.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.8%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal's wheat groats and meal production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 4 887 tonnes were produced, which is 63.8% higher than in 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, production rose by 70.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 19.5%.

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

Exports wheat groats and meal from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 9.7-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Portugal exported 2 tonnes of wheat groats and meal, representing a contraction of 80.9% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2020 at 9 tonnes, with the largest increase that year reaching 293.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the largest buyers of wheat groats and meal from Portugal in volume terms were Cabo Verde (52.1% of exports), Angola (14.5% of exports), and Germany (12.1% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 78.6% of total exports.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes fell to a trough in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 4 times. In 2021, wheat groats and meal exports from Portugal amounted to 4 thousand US dollars, representing a 39.0% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 7 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year reaching 203.4%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the main markets for wheat groats and meal exports from Portugal in value terms were Angola (33.3% of exports), Cabo Verde (25.8% of exports), and Germany (8.0% of exports). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 67.1% 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 groats and meal to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Wheat groats and meal imports into Portugal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 5 944 tonnes, marking a gain of 32.4% from a year earlier. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 115.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, imports of wheat groats and meal into Portugal in volume terms were almost entirely concentrated in Spain, which accounted for 98.5% of the total.

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 volume of wheat groats and meal imports has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports came to 1 857 thousand US dollars, showing a rise of 38.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 132.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 32.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the partner base for imports in value terms was extremely narrow, with Spain alone responsible for 95.9% 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