Lisbon, July 24, 2025 (Lusa) - The trade deficit in agricultural and agri-food products (excluding beverages) decreased in 2024, to €5.17 billion, €421.4 million less than in 2023, Statistics Portugal (INE) announced on Thursday.
INE’s “Agricultural Statistics 2024” show that the “meat and edible offal” group continued to account for the largest share of the trade deficit in agricultural and agri-food products, reaching €1.5098 billion and increasing by €102.8 million in 2024.
In turn, the “cereals” group, which also maintained the second largest deficit in 2024, recorded a reduction of €233.3 million.
The trade balance for “beverages, alcoholic liquids and vinegars” reversed the previous year’s decline and increased by €91.2 million compared to 2023, with the trade surplus for this product group reaching €728.9 million in 2024.
The trade balance for “forestry products” reached €3.063 billion in 2024, an increase of €180.5 million compared to the previous year.
“Paper and cardboard” and “cork” recorded the highest balances (€1,024.4 million and €919.7 million, respectively), while the “wood” group reported a net adjustment of €256.7 million, despite an improvement of €16.5 million.
In 2024, food industries remained the main activity in national industrial production, accounting for 16.2% of total sales, up from 16.6% in 2023.
The food industry allocated nearly 80% (77.7%) of the value of its sales to the domestic market (+0.4 percentage points compared to 2023), and 16.6% to the European Union (+0.3 percentage points compared to 2023).
INE released the data today; the figures also show that the value of sales in the food industry stood at €16.7 billion in 2024, €400 million lower than in 2023.
The activity of “slaughtering of animals, preparation and preservation of meat and meat products” was the most valued in the food industry, with 21.3% of total sales (20.5% in 2023).
The beverage industry earned €3.7 billion in 2024, €19.6 million more than in 2023, with the “wine industry” contributing 49.4% of total sales (49.3% in 2023).
Sales in the tobacco industry totalled €832.6 million, representing an increase of €125.2 million compared to 2023.
PD/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
