Portugal remains net exporter of wine during 2020 and Seeks to Expand Further

Published 2021년 2월 5일

Portugal has been a net exporter of wine and one of the top wine exporting countries in the EU. Between January 2020 and November 2020, Portugal’s wine exports grew to 289K MT which is about 4% more than the volume recorded during the same period in 2019. Despite the pandemic, wine exports of the country grew to some countries making it the net wine exporter even in 2020. It is expected that in the upcoming year, Wines of Portugal will invest USD 8.7M in international wine promotions during 2021 to expand its reach to newer markets.

Portugal is the eleventh largest wine producer in the world and the fifth-largest wine producer in the EU. The country has the fourth-largest wine grapes area in the EU after Spain, Italy, and France. The country has 14 central wine regions, out of which Douro-Porto, Lisboa, and Alentejo are the main regions. Portugal is within the top ten global wine exporters in MY 2019/20. The country exported 306M L of wine which was valued at USD 936M in 2019 making it the net exporter of wine. The country remained to be a net exporter in 2020 during the analyzed period. In 2021, the industry is expected to expand in new markets and work on marketing Portuguese wines.

Portuguese wine exports rise in 2020 despite challenges posted by COVID-19

Between January 2020 and November 2020, Portugal’s wine exports grew to 289K MT which is about 4% more than the volume recorded during the same period in 2019. About 55% of the Portuguese wine exports during this period were destined for the EU-27+UK. However, exports outside the EU grew significantly due to the closure of the hospitality industry in the EU due to the lockdowns. Portuguese exports to France, Angola, Germany, and China dropped significantly during this period. Conversely, wine exports to the United States, the UK, Brazil, Canada, and the Baltic countries grew stronger. Portuguese wine shipments to Brazil grew by 23% to USD 71M.

Strategy for the upcoming year 2021

Wines of Portugal is the Portuguese wine organization that markets the national wine campaigns and is planning to invest in international promotions. The organization is planning to invest USD 8.7M in international wine promotions during 2021. This is the organization’s largest investment in marketing activities. It is expected that the industry will be expanded to at least 21 more markets, participate in the major international wine fairs, wine tastings, and masterclasses. The main aim is to make Portuguese wines more popular amongst the importers, sommeliers, influencers, media, and other professionals in the sector. Portugal’s wine sector also intends to invest in new markets like Belgium, Denmark, Ukraine, and Mexico.