China-Portugal Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $7.24B total volume •China surplus: $4.40B

ChinaPortugal

$5.82B

Exports (2023)

PortugalChina

$1.42B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$4.40B

Surplus for China

Total Trade

$7.24B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between China and Portugal. Green line shows exports from China, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the China-Portugal commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

ChinaPortugal Exports

$5.82B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
16.7% top product
1Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (LED)
$973.06M
16.7% of exports
2Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils
$222.16M
3.8% of exports
3Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks
$147.89M
2.5% of exports
4Circuits: printed
$121.22M
2.1% of exports
5Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only electric motor for propulsion, new or used
$77.19M
1.3% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

China's export portfolio to Portugal demonstrates strategic specialization, with electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led) representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

PortugalChina Imports

$1.42B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
9.1% concentration
1Wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood
$129.03M
9.1% of imports
2Vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat belts
$121.66M
8.6% of imports
3Copper: waste and scrap
$120.20M
8.5% of imports
4Radio navigational aid apparatus
$94.03M
6.6% of imports
5Wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, dissolving grades
$66.13M
4.7% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

China's import pattern from Portugal reveals significant dependencyin wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

China demonstrates competitive strength in exportingelectrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led) to Portugal, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $7.24B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: China-Portugal Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $7.24 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: China maintains a surplus of $4.40 billion
  • Export Focus: China's primary exports include electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led), petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Portugal include wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood, vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat belts, copper: waste and scrap

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $7.24B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with China leveraging its comparative advantages in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led).

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

China's specialization in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led)complements Portugal's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $7.24B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $7.24B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $7.24 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led) and wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

China's trade surplus of $4.40 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led) may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between China and Portugal represents a total trade volume of $7.24 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for China, with exports exceeding importsby $4.40 billion.

Export Strengths

China's exports to Portugal total $5.82 billion, with competitive advantages in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led), representing $973.06M or16.7% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Portugal amount to $1.42 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood, with Wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood comprising9.1% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates China's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between China and Portugal in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023