Eating behavior in Portugal - statistics & facts

As food products were affected by severe inflation in 2022 and 2023, and while 2024 still presents uncertain trends, the Portuguese altered their eating behavior by reducing spending and making more thoughtful choices while buying food products. Not only did gastronomic habits change due to a tighter budget but they are also changing because of health and environmental concerns. In 2023, seven out of ten vegetarians in Portugal abstained from eating meat to prevent health issues.

Healthy eating is challenged by food prices

While freshness, taste, and price are the most important criteria for choosing food, the Portuguese often overlook nutritional information and production methods. Meat consumption is a prevailing characteristic of eating habits in Portugal, similar to other developed countries. Moreover, alcohol, especially wine, is a common part of the gastronomic culture. This results in a generally imbalanced diet prone to nutritional deficits. However, the Portuguese are increasingly conscious of the importance of healthy eating behaviors. While most of the population has an omnivore diet, a considerable portion of the population chooses alternative diets that include less or no meat. Nevertheless, the high prices of meat alternatives discourage many from buying them, resulting in some consumers opting for food supplementation or considering technological food alternatives.

Paying more, buying less, and wasting (too) much

The Portuguese are faced with difficult decisions when doing their groceries, due to their health concerns and the high cost of products. The expenses of Portuguese households on food have increased, potentially leading to the development of unhealthy eating habits, such as fast food and snacks consumption. However, despite the high prices, the Portuguese go to the supermarket at least twice a week and prefer physical purchases to online shopping. Furthermore, households are the primary source of food waste, discarding 10 times more food than the primary production sector. The amount of foodstuff squandered by families in Portugal does not rival the volume of edible products received or delivered by food banks, social solidarity institutions that fight the waste of food items by freely distributing them to those at risk of food insecurity.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Beatriz Luz, Mar 6, 2024

Key insights

Daily calorie intake in Portugal
3,990 kcal
Share of people following an omnivore diet in Portugal
88%
Most important criterion when choosing food in Portugal
Freshness
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Average price of basic food basket in Portugal from February 23, 2022 to April 24, 2024 (in euros)

Food & Nutrition

Average price of food basket with essential food products in Portugal 2022-2024

Immoderate alcohol consumption in Portugal in 2022, by type and gender

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Immoderate alcohol consumption in Portugal 2022, by type and gender

Annual variation rate of household food expenditure in Portugal from 2018 to 2023

Food & Nutrition

Annual variation rate of household food expenditure in Portugal 2018-2023

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