Lisbon, Feb. 19, 2025 (Lusa) - Petrogal and Volkswagen Autoeuropa maintained their leadership in the "ranking" of the largest exporting and importing companies last year, compared to 2023, with the Mercadona supermarket chain joining the list of the largest importers in 2024.
According to the data sent to Lusa by Statistics Portugal (INE), last year, the top 10 exporters were Petrogal, Volkswagen Autoeuropa, Navigator, Continental Mabor, Bosch Car Multimedia Portugal, Aptivport Services, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Exolum Aviação Portugal and Visteon Electronics Corporation. In 2023, the ranking included PSA and Faurécia, which no longer appear this year, having been replaced by Pfizer and Exolum.
In this case, the automotive, energy, aviation and pharmaceutical industries stand out.
As for importers, in 2024, the ranking was also led by Petrogal and Volkswagen Autoeuropa, followed by Bosch, Pingo Doce, Eli Lilly, Lidl, ITX Portugal - Confeções, Irmãdona Supermercados (Mercadona), SIVA and Mercedes Benz.
Concerning 2023, the entry of Mercadona stands out, as it is gradually opening more stores in Portugal. Galp Gás Natural dropped out of the top 10.
Among the importers, the automotive industry and distribution also stand out.
Last year, exports increased by 2.5% and imports by 1.9% year-on-year, according to INE on 10 February.
INE also revealed that "based on the first data from the international trade in goods statistics for 2024, exports totalled €79.285 billion (+2.5%) and imports reached €107.171 billion (+1.9%)".
According to the organisation, "the market that contributed most to the overall increase in Portuguese exports in 2024 was Germany, which became the second main destination for national goods, with a weight of 12.3%", 1.6 percentage points (p.p.) more than in 2023, with "exports to this country increasing by 17.% (+1.478 billion euros), essentially industrial supplies, transport equipment and machinery and equipment".
Spain, meanwhile, "was the second largest contribution to the increase in national exports in 2024, remaining the main destination with 26.0% (+0.3 p.p. compared to 2023)".
"Exports to the neighbouring country increased by 3.5% (+€699 million), mainly food and beverages and industrial supplies," said INE.
The organisation also noted that "exports to the United States rose by €80 million (+1.5%)".
ALN/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
