Contact lenses market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The contact lenses market in Spain experienced a moderate increase in volume to 123.8 million units in 2019, followed by a significant contraction to 99.2 million units in 2020. A recovery began in 2021, with market volume rising to 115.7 million units, and then accelerating sharply to 166.3 million units in 2022.

Market growth from 2022 onward was supported by a substantial influx of new users, with over 60 000 added in 2022, and a consumer preference for contact lenses driven by the perception that eyeglass frames limit the visual field. The shift towards daily disposable lenses, which grew by 10.1% in 2024 compared to a 2.7% increase for weekly or monthly lenses, further expanded the user base and consumption.

Recent developments included regulatory activity, such as a 2024 draft law in the Spanish Congress to provide free glasses and contact lenses for minors and low-income adults, and technological advancements like the launch of smart contact lenses with AI capabilities for early disease detection, reflecting an increased focus on visual health and product innovation.

Production contact lenses in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Spain's contact lens production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 20 699 K $ US, marking a 4.9% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 21 820 K $ US, with the largest annual increase of 5.6% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

In 2020, Spain produced 3 057 K units of contact lenses, down 12.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The peak was in 2019 with 3 484 K units, and the largest annual increase of 5.5% also occurred in 2019.

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

Exports contact lenses from Spain

Exports in kind, M unit

Contact lens exports from Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 10.7 M units, a 13.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports grew by 30.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 12.9 M units, with the largest annual increase of 57.4% also in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal remained the primary destination for Spain's contact lens exports, accounting for 84.0% of total export volume, while the rest was distributed among other countries.

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

After two years of growth, Spain's contact lens export value declined. In 2020, exports totaled 25.6 M $ US, a significant 11.4% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 17.8%, with a CAGR of 5.6%. The peak value was in 2019 at 28.9 M $ US, and the largest annual increase of 25.1% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal (43.7% of export value), France (13.2%), and the United Kingdom (8.9%) consistently served as the main destinations for Spain's contact lens exports in value terms, together accounting for 65.8% 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 contact lenses to Spain

Imports in kind, M unit

After two years of growth, Spain's contact lens import volume declined. In 2020, imports were approximately 106.9 M units, a notable 19.4% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.9%, with a CAGR of 3.1%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 132.7 M units, and the largest annual increase of 10.1% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (63.9% of import volume), the United States (13.4%), and Germany (12.9%) formed the main group of sources for Spain's contact lens imports, together representing 90.2% 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

Spain's contact lens imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 94.3 M $ US, a 12.7% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 9.4%, with a CAGR of 3.2%. The peak value was in 2018 at 113.6 M $ US, and the largest annual increase of 9.2% also occurred in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Kingdom (67.5% of import value), the Netherlands (7.2%), and the United States (6.0%) remained the key sources for Spain's contact lens imports in value terms, together accounting for 80.6% 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