Medicinal cannabis trade volumes rise in Portugal and Australia

The medicinal cannabis markets in Portugal and Australia are experiencing significant shifts in trade volumes. In Portugal, medicinal cannabis exports have continued to rise, surpassing 66 tonnes in the first half of this year. This follows a substantial increase last year when exports reached over 79 tonnes. The European Union remains the primary market for Portuguese exports, with Germany, Spain, and Denmark serving as the leading destinations. To manage this growth, the regulatory body Infarmed has increased inspections and strengthened control procedures, including the authority to suspend or revoke authorizations for non-compliance.

In Australia, the medical cannabis industry saw record imports in 2025, totaling over 81 tonnes. While Australia produced more than 55 tonnes domestically, bringing the total available supply to over 136 tonnes, estimates suggest only 63.3 tonnes reached patients. Key import sources for Australia include Thailand, which saw a significant increase in shipments, as well as Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and Colombia. Despite a decrease in flower shipments from Canada, Australia's total import volume reached a new high.