Portugal: Exports Continue to Fuel Expansion of the Portuguese Meat Sector

Portugal continues to expand its swine sector driven by increasing foreign demand, mainly from Asia. Since the opening of the Chinese market in 2019, China became the second largest export destination for Portuguese pork. In addition, during the first eight months of 2020, Portuguese live swine exports to Spain boomed due to tight Spanish hog supplies. The recent outbreak of African Swine Fever in Germany may distort the Portuguese live swine market with increasing competition from live hogs in Northern Europe. Meanwhile, Portuguese cattle production may continue expanding in response to higher international demand for live cattle. The temporary closure of the hospitality sector during the COVID-19 crisis is likely to discourage Portuguese chicken production in 2020 but it is expected to rebound in 2021.

Portugal: Exports Continue to Fuel Expansion of the Portuguese Meat Sector