Textiles and clothing "made in Portugal" have their best year ever

After two years of frustration due to the pandemic, the Portuguese textile and clothing sector reached an all-time high in international markets in 2021. In 2021, exports amounted to €5.4 billion, a figure that was 4% higher than in 2019.

Exports of knitwear and home textiles were crucial for this result. Knitwear exported €2.336 billion, up €193 million on 2019, equivalent to +9%. Home textiles exported €763 million, up €112 million on 2019, a growth of 17%. Fabric clothing has not yet recovered from the effects of the pandemic, exporting €796 million.

France strengthened its position as the second most important destination, having recorded the most significant increase in absolute terms, with a rise of €119 million (equivalent to +18%), now representing a 15% share of total textiles and clothing exports.

The United States was the fastest-growing non-EU destination, with an increase of €107 million (+31.5%), now accounting for 8% of total exports in the sector.

Spain, which remains as the top-scoring destination, is the country that has suffered the most significant drop: minus €220 million, or -14%. In 2019, it represented 31% of the total. In 2021, it represented 25%.

The sector's trade balance in 2021 showed a balance of €1.168 billion, with a coverage rate of 127%.