Ammonium sulphate market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish ammonium sulphate market contracted in 2019, with its size falling to $39.0 million from $59.4 million the previous year. During this period, an average tariff of 2.38% on packaged ammonium sulphate influenced trade flows. The market then stabilized around $40.1 million in 2020.

A turning point arrived in 2021, as a surge in export volumes and stable global raw material prices helped lift the market to $62.2 million. Growth accelerated sharply in 2022, reaching $99.3 million, primarily fueled by new environmental regulations. The adoption of MARPOL Annex VI, which promotes ammonium sulphate for marine emission control, and increasing European demand for sustainable fertilizers significantly expanded consumption. Concurrently, corporate moves such as Evonik's supply agreement for BlueSulfate and WeylChem's acquisition of a local sulphuric acid producer altered the supply chain.

The market continued its ascent to $134.1 million in 2023, supported by a redirection of volume from exports to domestic use. By 2024, it settled at $112.2 million in a context of balanced global supply and stable input costs, while fundamental demand from agriculture and emission control applications persisted.

Production ammonium sulphate in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ammonium sulphate production in Spain has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 66.5 million US dollars, which is 5.0% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 44.5%, with an average annual decline of 17.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M kg N

Ammonium sulphate production in Spain has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain produced 306.3 million kilograms of nitrogen equivalent, representing a robust 10.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 268.2 million kilograms of nitrogen equivalent, which saw the largest decline of 5.0% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M kg N

Exports ammonium sulphate from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Exported ammonium sulphate volumes from Spain have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 330.0 thousand tonnes, showing a significant 14.7% improvement over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 33.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—France, Italy, and Morocco—collectively accounted for 59.9% of Spain's total ammonium sulphate exports in volume terms.

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

Exported ammonium sulphate volumes from Spain have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Spain exported 43.751 million US dollars worth of ammonium sulphate, marking a gradual 6.1% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 11.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 49.353 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 25.4% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (32.4% of exports by value), Italy (11.4%), and Morocco (8.9%) together made up 52.7% of Spain's total ammonium sulphate exports in value terms, solidifying their position as the main destinations.

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

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

Imports ammonium sulphate to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Spain's ammonium sulphate import volume has increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 118.4 thousand tonnes, marking a steep 28.6% improvement compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 30.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 92.1 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 39.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (56.1% of imports by volume), South Korea (11.5%), and Germany (9.0%) consistently led the country structure of Spain's ammonium sulphate imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 76.6% of total 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

After a two-year decrease, Spain's ammonium sulphate import volumes have increased. In 2020, Spain imported a total of 17.303 million US dollars worth of ammonium sulphate, amounting to an 11.2% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 32%, with an average annual decline of 12.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 15.566 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 37.5% that year.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Belgium (58.8% of imports by value), South Korea (9.9%), and Germany (8.3%) formed the main cluster of markets for Spain's ammonium sulphate imports in value terms, with a combined share of 77.0% of total flows.

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

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