Agriculture in Portugal - statistics & facts
Despite being a small country in landmass, Portugal has a diverse agricultural sector due to varied climacteric and topographic characteristics. Moreover, it possesses a large exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which allows the country to explore marine resources. As of 2023, the Portuguese agricultural industry had a production value of 12.5 billion euros, the majority of which originated from crop farming. However, due to low levels of rainfall and high temperatures, especially south of the Tagus River, the industry faces limitations, which may explain why its gross value added represented only 1.7 percent of the gross domestic product in 2023.
Apart from foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco, live animals and animal goods were the agricultural products with the highest export value in Portugal in 2022, the majority of which pertained to intra-European Union (EU) exports. At the same time, the Portuguese food industry is dependent on international producers. The import value of live animals and animal products was more than double that of exports during the same year.
The consumption of agricultural goods in Portugal is characterized by a high intake of meat per capita, which surpassed that of fruit and almost equaled that of cereals in 2022. Pork and poultry dominate the preferences of the Portuguese, with meat products having the highest retail trade revenue among agri-foods in 2022. Nevertheless, the Portuguese faced rising inflation rates for food during 2022 and 2023, visible in the average price of a hamper with essential food products.
Agricultural production and international trade
Fruits and vegetables registered positive variation rates for volume produced, basic price, and value in Portugal in 2023. Even though irrigated corn had the largest agricultural land area in 2022, tomato showcased the highest average yield.Apart from foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco, live animals and animal goods were the agricultural products with the highest export value in Portugal in 2022, the majority of which pertained to intra-European Union (EU) exports. At the same time, the Portuguese food industry is dependent on international producers. The import value of live animals and animal products was more than double that of exports during the same year.
Employment and consumption
Only three percent of the Portuguese working population were employed in agriculture in 2023. The Central Region recorded the highest number of workers in the sector, with more than half being men.The consumption of agricultural goods in Portugal is characterized by a high intake of meat per capita, which surpassed that of fruit and almost equaled that of cereals in 2022. Pork and poultry dominate the preferences of the Portuguese, with meat products having the highest retail trade revenue among agri-foods in 2022. Nevertheless, the Portuguese faced rising inflation rates for food during 2022 and 2023, visible in the average price of a hamper with essential food products.
