Portugal: Frozen Whole Fish Market 2025

Frozen Whole Fish Market Size in Portugal

The Portuguese frozen whole fish market fell to $X in 2021, which is down by -5.9% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Frozen whole fish consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Whole Fish Production in Portugal

In value terms, frozen whole fish production declined notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production faced a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Frozen Whole Fish Exports

Exports from Portugal

In 2021, exports of frozen whole fish from Portugal rose significantly to X tons, increasing by 11% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -17.5% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 29% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen whole fish exports rose notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -16.4% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 32% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons) was the main destination for frozen whole fish exports from Portugal, with a 63% share of total exports. Moreover, frozen whole fish exports to Spain exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Brazil (X tons), with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Spain totaled +4.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+11.2% per year) and Brazil (+7.6% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the key foreign market for frozen whole fish exports from Portugal, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Spain totaled +6.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (+2.7% per year) and France (+7.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average frozen whole fish export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malta ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Malta (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Whole Fish Imports

Imports into Portugal

In 2021, purchases abroad of frozen whole fish decreased by -1.4% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after three years of growth. Overall, imports showed a mild decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 8.3%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen whole fish imports rose to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 13%. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest frozen whole fish supplier to Portugal, with a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, frozen whole fish imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Russia (X tons), fivefold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Spain was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+9.6% per year) and the Netherlands (-11.5% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of frozen whole fish to Portugal, comprising 43% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Russia ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Spain was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+12.5% per year) and the Netherlands (-7.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average frozen whole fish import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 4.2% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 11%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Denmark ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ecuador (+5.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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