Latest news and stories about imports in Portugal for expats and residents.
The feared redirection of Chinese exports to the European Union (EU) due to US tariffs has not yet occurred, although the risk remains, especially for countries with an import profile similar to that of the United States, warns the Banco de Portugal (BdP). In an analysis released this Wednesday, in anticipation of the March 'Economic Bulletin', ...
Exports of goods fell by 14.1% in January 2026, while imports decreased by 2.5%, according to data released this Thursday, the 12th, by the National Statistics Institute (INE). The trade deficit for goods worsened by 778 million compared to January 2025, reaching 2.5 billion. INE notes that industrial supplies saw a sharp contraction (-27.5%), largely linked to lower exports of chemical products to Germany, mostly related to contract work transactions without transfer of ownership. Exports of fuels and lubricants fell by 33.5%, with a reduction in both volume (-25.5%) and prices (-10.7%). The agency suggests this trend may be associated with the shutdown of units at the national refinery in the final months of 2025. Excluding fuels and lubricants, exports fell by 12.9%, after rising 0.9% in December. Among the main destinations, significant declines in sales to Germany (-44.3%) and Spain (-7.4%) stand out, associated with the aforementioned segments. In imports, the decrease in industrial supplies was 11.6%, especially due to lower imports of chemical products from Ireland in transactions without transfer of ownership. Regarding supplier countries, imports from Ireland fell by 85.9%, while those from the Netherlands increased by 38.9%, influenced by industrial supplies. INE also updated the map of trading partners based on preliminary 2025 data; in the top export destinations, Angola replaced Morocco. In the list of suppliers, there were no changes in the top ten, only shifts in position — for example, China rose to fifth place and Ireland to eighth.
Sea freight is already feeling the effects of the war in the Middle East, especially regarding prices. However, the Portuguese Freight Forwarders Association fears further consequences: longer transport times and disruptions in the availability of ships and containers. It is a snowball effect affecting everyone: importers and exporters.
The Ponta Delgada Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIPD) today called for an 'urgent intervention' by the Regional Government with the national government to secure a 'rapid normalisation' of the flow of goods by sea bound for the region.
The price of meat is rising and could spike next year. The shortage of animals and increased consumption explain the rise, but drought and diseases have also led to a reduction in herds, resulting in increased imports.
