Vegetable production in Portugal

In Portugal, vegetables are the silent heroes of a fierce battle. Under a relentless sun and against capricious winds, they take root and rise, defying the seasons. Grown with unwavering determination, they impose themselves on the markets and conquer the kitchens, true weapons of flavor and vitality.

Remarkable economic growth in the fruit, vegetable and flower sector

In 2023, the production of fruit, vegetables and flowers in Portugal reached a historic peak, generating a value of 5.160 billion euros. This represents an increase of 28% compared to the previous year and an impressive jump of 61% in just five years. These figures demonstrate the vitality and growing competitiveness of the Portuguese agricultural sector, which is positioning itself as a fundamental pillar of the national economy.

Booming exports to conquer international markets

Portuguese exports of fruits, vegetables and flowers have also seen a notable advance, reaching an amount of 2.303 billion euros in 2023. This represents an increase of 11% in a single year and 42% over the last five years. Among these products, small red fruits stand out, recording an annual growth of 16% with an export value of 294 million euros. Raspberries, representing 70% of exports in this category, showed a significant increase of 13%, followed by blackberries with 27% and blueberries with 5% percent.

Marketing opportunities driven by changing food trends

The Portuguese market is experiencing a notable transformation with 10.4% of the population, or around 910,000 people, adopting vegetarian, vegan or flexitarian diets. This trend offers a strategic opportunity to promote local fruits and vegetables, adapted to the expectations of consumers concerned about their health and the environment. The growing demand for quality products, particularly red fruits and citrus fruits, represents an essential lever to strengthen Portugal's image as a European leader in sustainable and innovative production.

Fruit and vegetable trade: a rapidly changing trade between Portugal and Spain

In 2020, Portugal exported 262,228 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to Spain for a value of €222 million, i.e. +7% in volume and +29% in value compared to 2019. Over 5 years, volumes have jumped by +40% (187,010 tonnes in 2016) and value by +95% (€114 million). Conversely, Spanish exports to Portugal decreased by 53% in volume over the same period (644,195 tonnes in 2016 to 599,403 tonnes in 2020), but increased by 6% in value, reaching EUR 440 million in 2020.

Portuguese vegetables embody a quiet strength, cultivated with passion and resilience. Driven by a unique terroir and ancestral know-how, they are pillars of healthy and sustainable food. Whether silent heroes or ambassadors of flavor, their story remains one of inestimable richness.