Antibiotics market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The antibiotics market in Spain expanded from USD 277.6 million in 2018 to USD 566.9 million in 2020. This growth was initially driven by a rise in sexually transmitted infections, with syphilis cases reaching 7,541 and gonorrhea 56,259 in 2018, alongside relatively lax antibiotic regulations in some regions. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated demand, as antibiotic prescriptions for COVID-19 patients increased by 75% between May 2020 and May 2022.

After peaking in 2020, the market size contracted sharply to USD 272.7 million by 2023. This decline coincided with stricter regulatory oversight and government-led awareness campaigns promoting appropriate antibiotic use to combat antimicrobial resistance, measures that were intensified from 2021 onward.

Throughout the period, significant industry activity included Pfizer's launch of an international research consortium for new tuberculosis antibiotics in 2019 and positive phase III clinical data in March 2022 for cefepime-taniborbactam, a combination therapy for serious urinary tract infections. These innovations, along with the ongoing presence of major pharmaceutical companies, continued to shape the market's development.

Production antibiotics in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's antibiotics production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 334.2 million US dollars, showing a moderate rise of 3.2% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 314.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After a two-year decrease, Spain's antibiotics production volume increased. In 2020, 8 054 tonnes of antibiotics were produced, marking a gain of 8.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 6.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 417 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 2.1%.

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

Exports antibiotics from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's antibiotics export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume amounted to 7 083 tonnes, which is 6.7% smaller than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 40.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, the Netherlands, and Italy formed the main cluster of markets for exports in kind. Austria accounted for 45.4% of exports, the Netherlands for 24.0%, and Italy for 7.3%, with a combined share of 76.7% of total 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, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's antibiotics export value was recorded at 247.9 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate gain of 3.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 34.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 239.0 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 390.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 38.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Austria, the Netherlands, and Italy—remained central to exports in value terms, together accounting for 71.7% of total 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 antibiotics to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imported antibiotics volumes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain imported 7 684 tonnes of antibiotics, reflecting a rise of 36.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 134 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 35.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, Austria, and Germany formed the key group of partners for imports in kind of antibiotics to Spain. China accounted for 40.3% of imports, Austria for 19.6%, and Germany for 15.6%, jointly representing 75.5% 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, M $ US

In 2020, foreign antibiotics supplies to Spain totalled 480.7 million US dollars, indicating a steep increase of 52.1% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 49.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 316.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, Europe not elsewhere specified, and France formed the key group of partners for imports in value terms of antibiotics to Spain. China accounted for 35.3% of imports, Europe not elsewhere specified for 19.6%, and France for 12.9%, jointly representing 67.8% 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