Concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Spanish market for concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks saw gradual growth, with volume increasing from 1 784 thousand tons to 1 849 thousand tons. This period was supported by strong industry investment in research and innovation, as well as the implementation of a national collective agreement for clay product workers starting in 2019. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the market remained resilient, aided by ongoing commitments to energy efficiency and environmental standards.

Market volume surged by 57% in 2021 to reach 2.9 million tons, coinciding with a heightened focus on technological innovation and the development of eco-friendly, low-CO2 emission bricks. However, in 2022, volume contracted by 23% to 2.2 million tons, primarily due to escalating costs of energy, raw materials, and transportation, coupled with a shortage of skilled labor, which raised production expenses and constrained output.

The market rebounded in 2023, growing 28% to 2.9 million tons, driven by the launch of new ecological brick designs and increased digitalization in manufacturing. Yet, in 2024, volume fell again by 28% to 2.1 million tons, as persistent high energy and raw material prices were compounded by new regulatory changes, including updated cement reception standards and environmental packaging requirements, which affected production processes.

Production concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Spain, the output value of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks reached 86 688 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 12.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Spain's production volume of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 875 thousand tonnes, representing a 3.1% rise from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production expanded by 6.4%, averaging a 2.1% annual growth rate.

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

Exports concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Exports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks from Spain have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volume hit 38 174 tonnes, up by 5.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 36.4%, with an average annual increase of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Spain's exports in kind were France, accounting for 52.2% of the total, Gibraltar with 25.1%, and Andorra at 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 85.7% of all 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

Exports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks from Spain have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 13 691 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 3.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 14 433 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 18.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France was the leading buyer of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks from Spain, capturing 79.1% of total export value. The remaining share was distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Imports concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Imports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks into Spain have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 12 138 tonnes, up by 13.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 70.5%, averaging a 19.5% annual growth rate.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the largest contributors to Spain's imports in kind were France, with 49.1% of the total, Portugal at 26.9%, and Turkey with 9.8%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 85.7% of 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

After two years of growth, Spain's imports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks declined. In 2020, import value stood at 3 171 thousand US dollars, down by 9.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 19.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 6.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 496 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 30.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Portugal, and China were the primary sources for Spain's imports in value terms, accounting for 39.4%, 28.3%, and 11.5% respectively. Together, they absorbed 79.2% of total import value for concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks.

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

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