Portugal

Portugal in the world and in the EU

In 2023, Portugal ranked 9th in the EU-27 for fishery production and 13th for aquaculture production.

Fishing fleet

Landings

Landings comprise the initial unloading of any fisheries products from on board a fishing vessel in a given Member State. They include aquatic plants and species not destined for human consumption. Landings are recorded in net weight and value, and concern landings made by vessels from EU Member States, Iceland, Norway and the UK.

In 2023, 88% of landings in Portugal included fresh whole/gutted products and 11% included frozen products. As for destination use, 99% of the total was for human consumption, the rest being withdrawn from the market.

There are 70 fishing ports registered in Portugal (source: EU Master Data Register, 03 December 2025).

Main commercial species landed and % of total
2023, million euros (nominal value) and 1.000 tonnes

Aquaculture

Aquaculture consists in the farming of aquatic (fresh or saltwater) organisms, such as fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Aquaculture data are reported in live weight equivalent and value.

In 2023, 99% of Portuguese production occurred in sea and brackish waters (almost entirely in marine waters) and 1% in freshwater. The following main production methods were used:

• 31% of production: on bottom in sea and brackish waters;
• 20% of production: in tanks and raceways in sea and brackish waters;
• 12% of production: in ponds in sea and brackish waters;
• 11% of production: off bottom in sea and brackish waters;
• 10% of production: in cages in sea and brackish waters and a slight portion in freshwater (0,4%).

Main commercial species farmed and % of total
2023, million euros (nominal value) and 1.000 tonnes

Producer organisations

Source: European Commission, List of the recognised producer organisations in the fishery and aquaculture sector

In Portugal, 16 producer organisations (POs) are formally recognized, all operating in the fishery sector. Their role is to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and of the Common organisation of the markets (CMO) through the collective management of their members' activities.

First sales

First sales concern the fish that is sold or registered at an auction center or to registered buyers or to producer organizations (PO). First sales may differ from landings since the former do not cover fish that is landed by vessels owned by processing companies or direct sales to processors.

In 2025, total first sales in Portuguese places of sale amounted to 113.435 tonnes and 305 million euros.

The top-3 places of sale covered 49% and 36% of total first sales, respectively in volume and value terms.

Processing

According to Eurostat-SBS, 9.580 persons were employed in the Portuguese fish processing industry in 2023. The sector recorded a value added of 306 million euros, covering 9% of the value added of total manufacture of food products.

In 2024, the main products sold were “Prepared or preserved tuna, skipjack and Atlantic bonito, whole or in pieces (excluding minced products and prepared meals and dishes)” and “Prepared or preserved sardines, sardinella, brisling and sprats, whole or in pieces (excluding minced products and prepared meals and dishes)” (source: Eurostat-PRODCOM).

162 companies
Net turnover: 2 
billion euros
(2024, source: Eurostat - SBS)

Distribution

The chart shows percentages representing how consumers prefer different purchasing channels, such as markets, fishmonger or specialist shop, grocery stores or supermarkets, or direct purchases from producers like fisher men.

Import

Main commercial species imported
and % of total imports
2024, million euros (nominal value)

Export

Main commercial species exported
and % of total exports
2024, million euros (nominal value)

Consumption

In 2023, apparent consumption was estimated at 53,61 kg per capita, a 2% decrease compared with 2022. Cod was by far the most consumed specie (source: EUMOFA).

53,61 kg
per capita in live
weight equivalent
(2023, source: EUMOFA)

The country in EUMOFA