Cement clinkers market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Spanish cement clinker market volume stood at 2 583 thousand tons. This level was supported by growing cement demand driven by the start of over 100 000 housing units that year, although civil engineering works remained at historical lows, capping further market expansion.

Market volume then experienced significant fluctuations, dropping to 2 124 thousand tons in 2019 before rising to 3 387 thousand tons in 2020. It peaked at 3 534 thousand tons in 2022 but declined to 3 091 thousand tons in 2023 and 2 581 thousand tons in 2024. During this period, major producers like Cemex implemented oxy‑combustion and hydrogen injection technologies to reduce the environmental footprint of clinker production, reflecting the industry's shift towards sustainable manufacturing.

In value terms, the clinker market grew from US$ 119.3 million in 2018 to a high of US$ 193.8 million in 2023, despite volatile physical volumes, before falling to US$ 152.7 million in 2024.

Production cement clinkers in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's cement clinker output was valued at 200.2 million US dollars, marking a 6.6% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 14.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.2%. The lowest value during this time was recorded in 2019 at 187.7 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 275.2 million US dollars. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, falling by 31.8%, whereas the largest gain was in 2018, rising by 17.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Spain produced 5,728 thousand tonnes of cement clinkers, showing a sharp increase of 31.4% compared to the year before. Despite this recent uptick, production from 2017 to 2020 overall decreased by 13.1%, averaging an annual decline of 4.6%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 4,359 thousand tonnes, and the maximum was in 2018 at 6,686 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 34.8%.

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

Exports cement clinkers from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Cement clinker exports from Spain declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2,588 thousand tonnes, representing a slight decrease of 2.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 49%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 20.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for cement clinkers in kind remained fragmented. Cameroon accounted for 20.1% of exports, France for 14.8%, and Belgium for 11.7%. Together, these three countries made up only 46.6% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

Cement clinker shipments from Spain declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, Spain exported 98.7 million US dollars worth of cement clinkers, indicating a reduction of 9.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 45.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -18.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon, France, and Belgium were the largest buyers of Spanish cement clinkers in value terms, contributing 17.7%, 17.1%, and 11.8% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 46.6% of total exports, reflecting a diversified country structure without any single dominant market.

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

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

Imports cement clinkers to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for cement clinkers in Spain experienced noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, Spain imported 247 thousand tonnes, indicating a sharp decline of 39.7% from 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 409 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 96.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 4,695.0%. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018 was 48-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Algeria dominated Spain's cement clinker imports in kind, together accounting for 88.4% of total flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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 cement clinker imports in value terms showed significant fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports amounted to 10.5 million US dollars, representing a steep decline of 39.3% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.8 million US dollars, and the maximum was in 2019 at 17.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 92.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 2,036.3%. The value in 2019 was 21 times higher than in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Algeria remained the principal sources for Spain's cement clinker imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 84.5% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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