MOURA, Portugal — Portugal is finding that increasing exports is the way to pull its economy out of a recession.

For 127 years, Herdade de Manantiz has been producing olive oil, mostly for the domestic market. But having suffered through recession like thousands of other traditional businesses, it has started overhauling its operations and searching for customers outside Portugal.

In February, Manantiz installed its first irrigation system, an investment of 197,000 euros, or $263,000, that is meant to help quadruple production. In May, the company completed its first overseas sale — to a Brazilian retailer that bought 504 bottles of oil. It is pursuing buyers in Sweden and Japan for its oil made from galega olives, which are unique to Portugal.

“It’s difficult to change direction for very small companies like ours, but there comes a point when there is really no other choice,” said António Morais de Almeida, who is part of the fifth generation of the family that owns and operates Manantiz.