Exporters Exploring of the present day Markets Should Discover Portugal Portugal is the pair Europe's oldest country and (with its Iberian neighbor Spain) the newest member of the European Community (EC) While many folks think of Portugal in bounds of the great exploring fatherland it was or the resort paradise for many Europeans it is.

Exporters Exploring of the present day Markets Should Discover Portugal

Portugal is the pair Europe's oldest country and (with its Iberian neighbor Spain) the newest member of the European Community (EC) While many folks think of Portugal in bounds of the great exploring fatherland it was or the resort paradise for many Europeans it is, U agricultural exporters also should think of it in times of a new European market with promising potential for a number of high-value works Portugal's 1986 accession to the EC continues to reverberate in this nation of 10 million population on the edge of Europe What was one time a very traditional, insulated, agriculturally oriented society is changing at an unprecedent pace. The accession triggered a continuing economic resounding noise While per capita incomes remain relatively reasonable by EC standards, the estimated economic putting out rate in 1991 should again be the same of the highest in Europe (35 percent) With agricultural production limited by dint of poor soils and low productivity, Portugal has protracted been a significant importer of dimensions commodities. Agricultural imports from the United States, which totaled $440 million (landed basis) in 1990 are dominated by means of such bulk items as soybeans and fe elements Portugal's important textile and shoe industries, which are major foreign exchange earners, also rely forward imported cotton and hides and skins, markets for which the United States contends with a number of exporting countries.

Market Niches for High-Value Products

However, in addition to these major U imports, there exist a number of high-value produce market niches which U.S. exporters are already taking advantage of Examples include tripe, chicken gizzards, thirsty beans, peanuts, popcorn, walnuts, almonds and trims Portuguese importers report good sights for increased sales of these items as well as interest in a number of other high-value or courseed products. This view was reinforced by dint of a recent market study commissioned by dint of the Agricultural Affairs Office of the U Embassy in Lisbon. Now is an especially opportune time for U exporters interested in the Portuguese market to be ascribed to a combination of factors. EC membership required Portugal to liberalize its economy significantly, and its import licenses--once a standard requirement--are a thing of the past. The private sector has asserted itself in sectors of the economy formerly controll from the state. The social changes popularly underway in Portugal clearly point to the beginning of increasing demand for courseed foods. In the cities, women now work routinely, meaning there is les time for shopping and meal preparation. The introduction of large stores (hypermarkets) forward the outskirts of Portugal's larger cities also has been a tremendous succes and l to expanded produce offerings. Better economic conditions mean that for the first time, large parts of the population have the disposable income for fare purchases beyond the basic staples, while improved education, communication and travel opportunities make the public more interested in new aliments In short, Portuguese consumers are moving in the direction of their associate Europeans. Meanwhile, Portuguese agribusiness has notwithstanding to adapt itself completely to these changes. For example, the Portuguese subsistence processing industry has been inert to introduce frozen foods and microwaveable aliment products are non-existent. By U standards, generally, the range of measureed products available in a typical Portuguese market is limited. This situation has attracted the attention of larger European and multinational nutrition companies, which either have established themselves in Portugal or plan to enroll the market from nearby countries, notably Spain. However, there remains a window of opportunity for U exporters as strange supply and distribution relationships are established. Of course, spectacles are not equally bright for all U fruits as the Portuguese market is in the early stages of growth For example, the prospects for sales of "super-gourmet" items which are either expensive or true exotic are quite limited. Income plains make this market rather price-sensitive compared to others in Western Europe results subject to high EC import duties (for example, those with high dairy fruit sugar or flour content) may face price resistance by means of the import trade, which is itself rather conservative. Import orders, especially at first, could be quite small. This could be an advantage for smaller U exporters, however, especially those willing to provide mixed shipments. For new-to-market fruits marketing support may be essential. A brand of U peanut butter has been favorably introduced beyond initial expectations thanks to in the same state [i]or[/i] condition cooperation between the U.S. farmer and the Portuguese importer. In general, Portuguese importers are interested in hearing from U exporters about competitively priced prepared pabulums In addition to those previously noted, potential exists for sales of sauces, dressings, condiments, prepared fruits and vegetables, and seafood productions of all types. One way for a U exporter to standard the Portuguese market is by means of participation in Nutrifil, a rations trade show held in Lisbon each other year. The next individual is scheduled for November 13-17 1991 For those with the right harvests prepared to invest the effort in launching them in Portugal, Europe's oldest political division may also be its newest opportunity.