Portugal has unexpectedly become one of the world’s leading almond producers. Over the past decade, the country has not only sharply increased nut production but also entered the global top five for almond output, ranking second in Europe.

According to the Portugal Nuts association, almonds now account for nearly 75% of the country’s nut exports. In 2025, Portugal exported €156 million worth of nuts, including €115 million in almonds alone — almost three times more than five years ago.

The market is also shifting toward higher-value products. While Portugal previously exported mostly in-shell almonds, shelled almonds now make up 65% of exports for the first time, reflecting growing domestic processing capacity and higher added value retained within the country.

Walnut exports are also expanding, rising nearly 50% over the past year. At the same time, the total area of nut plantations has slightly decreased by around 1,000 hectares. Experts nevertheless consider the sector resilient, as modern intensive farming methods deliver higher yields on smaller areas.

For Portugal, nuts are no longer a niche agricultural product but a fully developed export industry. Almond farming is growing particularly fast in Alentejo, a region that has become one of the country’s main agricultural hubs thanks to investment, irrigation infrastructure, and a hot climate.

For expatriate investors living in Portugal, the sector is especially noteworthy because it represents one of the few industries where the country is experiencing genuine production growth rather than relying mainly on tourism. Agricultural land in inland regions remains cheaper than in coastal areas, while demand for export-oriented products continues to rise. Compared with crops such as raspberries, nut plantations also require less delicate maintenance. For investors, this signals that Portugal is gradually becoming not only a country of cafés and ocean views, but also a gateway to modern European agribusiness.