At the beginning of 2026, a new trend is emerging in Portuguese pork exports — the growing role of Asian markets, particularly the Philippines and Japan. This is evidenced by January–February data, which shows a shift in the structure of the country’s external trade.
Previously, Angola had traditionally been the main destination for Portuguese pork (with the exception of 2019, when China led). However, in the first two months of 2026, China became the largest importer, purchasing nearly 1,000 tons of product.
The Philippines ranked second (861 tons), despite the market opening to Portugal only in the second half of last year. Angola followed with 701 tons, and Japan with 448 tons.
In value terms, Japan ranked first with €1.83 million, highlighting its strong capacity for higher value-added products. The Philippines came second (€1.57 million), followed by Angola (€1.46 million) and China (€1.44 million), which primarily imports offal.
Analysts note that the growing importance of Asian markets could significantly reshape Portugal’s export strategy. An additional factor will be the potential opening of new markets, including Malaysia and Mexico, during 2026.
Overall, Portuguese pork exports are gradually shifting toward more dynamic and higher-value Asian markets, creating new opportunities for industry growth.
PigUA.info, based on materials from pig333.com