Chalk market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The chalk market in Spain, measured in physical volume, experienced fluctuations between 2018 and 2024. After a slight contraction in 2019, consumption rebounded to reach a peak of 743.5 thousand tonnes in 2021. This was followed by a downward trend, with market size falling to 584.5 thousand tonnes by 2024.

In value terms, the market declined sharply from over $50 million in 2018 to approximately $7.4 million in 2024. This drop in market value coincided with a significant reduction in domestic chalk production, which fell from 786.5 thousand tonnes in 2021 to 627.4 thousand tonnes in 2024. Labor market constraints, affecting business activity and productivity, contributed to the production decline observed in 2023.

Imports of chalk decreased steadily over the period, from 31.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 8.1 thousand tonnes in 2024, while exports remained relatively stable, ranging between 45.8 and 85.1 thousand tonnes annually.

Production chalk in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Chalk production in Spain has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 15 270 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate decrease of 5.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 16 720 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 5.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Spain produced 750.2 thousand tonnes of chalk, representing a 2.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 4.6%.

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

Exports chalk from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's chalk export volume totalled 55 915 tonnes in 2020, corresponding to a decline of 34.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 85 104 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 42.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Spain's chalk exports in volume terms were Germany (29.2% of exports), Portugal (12.6%), and France (10.5%). Together, these three countries accounted for 52.3% 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

Spain's chalk exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 7 837 thousand US dollars, which is 25.0% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 40.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the country breakdown of exports in value terms was relatively scattered. Portugal (26.7% of exports), Germany (11.7%), and France (9.6%) together accounted for 47.9% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports chalk to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's chalk import volume has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 13 753 tonnes, which is 41.0% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 10.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 31 490 tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 63.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for chalk imports to Spain in volume terms were France (40.4% of imports), Germany (23.9%), and the Netherlands (17.9%). These three countries jointly accounted for 82.2% 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

Spain's chalk import volume has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 18 707 thousand US dollars, marking a decrease of 52.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 55.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 44 705 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.2%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the main markets for Spain's chalk imports in value terms were France (38.5% of imports), Switzerland (18.5%), and Sweden (10.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 67.3% 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