Acetic acid market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish acetic acid market underwent notable shifts between 2018 and 2020. The announcement of a planned local production facility in Barcelona's Free Zone with a 75,000 t annual capacity in 2018 aimed to reduce import reliance, coinciding with a decrease in imports from 51,518 t to 43,505 t the following year. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global production and logistics, contributing to a drop in domestic output to 2,328 t. However, market volume grew to 39,442 t as imports held steady and exports fell, reflecting pandemic-driven adjustments in supply chains and sectoral demand.

Pandemic-related supply chain challenges persisted into 2021, further reducing domestic production to 1,855 t. While imports rose to 50,939 t, a significant jump in exports to 17,081 t lowered the market volume to 35,713 t. By 2022, a broader global market recovery, fueled by demand from the paints, coatings, adhesives, and textiles industries, provided a stabilizing context, with imports at 43,240 t and exports at 14,390 t.

From 2023, new EU regulations began shaping the market. The authorization of buffered vinegar (E 267) as a food additive from October 2023 and updated labeling rules for technological coadjuvants affected food-sector applications. In 2024, regulatory approvals for acetic acid as a feed additive for fish, alongside modifications to Spanish vinegar legislation that recognize traditional production practices, influenced demand patterns. Concurrently, global industry trends toward low-carbon production and capacity expansions by major international firms contributed to the evolving market landscape in Spain.

Production acetic acid in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's acetic acid production was valued at 2 869 K $ US, showing a significant decrease of 15.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Spain produced 2 328 t of acetic acid, reflecting a sharp decline of 16.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports acetic acid from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's acetic acid exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 7 270 t, marking a substantial drop of 31.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 19.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 297 t, which also saw the largest increase of 25.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Spain's acetic acid exports in kind were France (42.2% of exports), Portugal (15.9% of exports), and Algeria (13.4% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 71.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain's acetic acid exports were valued at 6 052 K $ US, representing a steep decline of 34.7% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 453 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 90.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary markets for Spain's acetic acid exports in value terms were France (34.4% of exports), Algeria (15.9% of exports), and Portugal (13.6% of exports). Collectively, these countries made up 63.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports acetic acid to Spain

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Import volumes hit their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain imported 44 384 t of acetic acid, a slight increase of 2.0% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 51 518 t, which also saw the largest increase of 131.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Spain's acetic acid imports in kind were Belgium (25.9% of imports), Serbia (16.9% of imports), and the United Kingdom (16.1% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 58.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited considerable fluctuations during this period. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest point in 2018, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain imported acetic acid valued at 21 410 K $ US, a decrease of 25.7% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 40 394 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 145.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 28.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the key markets for Spain's acetic acid imports in value terms were Belgium (30.0% of imports), Serbia (12.6% of imports), and China (12.2% of imports). Together, these countries represented 54.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020