Portuguese forklift and machinery sales fell 31 percent in 2002, according to the latest figures from the Portuguese Association of Car Traders (ACAP).

Sales of materials handling equipment decreased 18.9 percent to 6,614 machines, compared to the 2001 figures, said a Portuguese News Digest report.

Total forklift sales fell 15.8 percent, with pallet trucks falling 34.9 percent, and reach stacker sales falling 21.2 percent. Gasoline-powered forklift sales rose 1.1 percent.