Ball bearings market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish ball bearings market opened the period at 38 171 t in 2018, supported by technological innovations such as NSK's development of a high-performance tapered roller hub bearing for commercial vehicles. Market volume then contracted sharply to 20 389 t in 2019. The global pandemic in 2020 further disrupted production and supply chains, pulling volume down to 17 890 t, despite emerging demand for bearings used in electric vehicles.

A post-pandemic recovery lifted the market to 28 307 t in 2021, fueled by the launch of specialized products like Schaeffler AG's TriFinity bearing for electrified powertrains and supportive European policies for electric mobility. Growth continued in 2022, reaching 30 871 t, as electric vehicle sales expanded in Spain and Europe, and strategic moves such as Fersa Bearings' acquisition of PFI bearings reinforced distribution channels.

After a slight dip to 28 116 t in 2023, the market stabilized around 28 594 t in 2024. Throughout these years, the transition to electric vehicles and stringent environmental regulations kept driving innovation toward lighter, more efficient bearings, while volatility in raw material costs presented ongoing challenges for manufacturers.

Production ball bearings in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ball bearing production in Spain has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 162.3 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 2.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 2.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Ball bearing production in Spain has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain produced 15,865 tonnes of ball bearings, representing a drop of 2.6% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 28.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 22,878 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 28.8% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 3.6%.

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

Exports ball bearings from Spain

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Spain's cross-border shipments of ball bearings declined. In 2020, Spain exported 9,948 tonnes of ball bearings, showing a significant fall of 16.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 11,975 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Denmark, and Germany were the core destinations for Spain's ball bearing exports in kind. France accounted for 31.5% of exports, Denmark for 29.3%, and Germany for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 69.6% 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, M $ US

Ball bearing export volumes from Spain have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 90.5 million US dollars, constituting a decline of 21.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 17.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.1%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 119.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Denmark, and Germany made the biggest contributions to Spain's ball bearing exports in value terms. France accounted for 33.8% of exports, Denmark for 17.0%, and Germany for 12.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 63.4% 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 ball bearings to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Foreign ball bearing supplies to Spain have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain imported 15,865 tonnes of ball bearings, amounting to a dramatic decrease of 25.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 46.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.6%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 26,116 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 38.5% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and China were the principal suppliers of ball bearings to Spain in kind. Germany accounted for 19.9% of imports, Belgium for 16.7%, and China for 16.3%. Together, these three countries represented 52.8% 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, M $ US

Spain's ball bearing imports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 140.0 million US dollars, which is 19.7% less than the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.2%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.4%. The highest import value was in 2018 at 205.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Italy formed the key group of partners for Spain's ball bearing imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 26.8% of imports, France for 16.4%, and Italy for 11.3%. Jointly, these three countries represented 54.5% 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