Copper bars, rods and profiles market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market for copper bars, rods and profiles in Spain expanded, with volume rising to 92 660 t and value reaching $293.8 million. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when volume fell to 84 925 t and value dropped to $261.6 million, a decline driven by supply chain disruptions and labor shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the availability of raw copper for processing.

By 2022, market volume had contracted further to 52 176 t, yet its total value increased to $314.2 million, primarily due to high volatility in copper prices that elevated unit costs. The downward trend in volume continued into 2023, falling to 44 840 t with a corresponding drop in value to $218.4 million, even as a growing niche for oxygen-free copper busbars gained momentum, fueled by demand from renewable energy and electric mobility sectors.

Regulatory developments also shaped the market environment, notably Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils, which encouraged the integration of recycled copper as a secondary raw material, supporting a shift toward circular economy practices within the industry.

Production copper bars, rods and profiles in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's production of copper bars, rods, and profiles was valued at 220.5 million US dollars, representing a modest 8.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 25.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 203.6 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 31.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with an 18.0% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Spain produced 73 716 tonnes of copper bars, rods, and profiles, marking a 10.6% year-over-year drop. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 64 029 tonnes. The largest decline was in 2018 with a 24.5% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 28.8% rise.

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

Exports copper bars, rods and profiles from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Spain's exports of copper bars, rods, and profiles declined in volume. In 2020, exports reached 14 088 tonnes, indicating a 2.6% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.3%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 466 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 6.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Portugal, and France were the main buyers of copper bars, rods, and profiles from Spain in terms of volume. Italy accounted for 43.2% of exports, Portugal for 11.3%, and France for 9.9%, together comprising 64.4% of total exports.

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

Spain's exports of copper bars, rods, and profiles declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 89.8 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.7% year-over-year drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.7%, with a CAGR of 0.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 102.4 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 with an 8.0% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 17.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, France, and Portugal were the principal destinations for Spain's exports of copper bars, rods, and profiles in value terms. Italy represented 34.1% of exports, France 14.2%, and Portugal 10.5%, jointly accounting for 58.8% 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 copper bars, rods and profiles to Spain

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decrease, Spain's imports of copper bars, rods, and profiles increased in volume. In 2020, imports totaled 25 298 tonnes, marking a small rise of 2.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 24 628 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 17.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Spain's imports of copper bars, rods, and profiles in volume were Italy, Germany, and France. Italy accounted for 41.7% of imports, Germany for 25.4%, and France for 14.0%, together representing 81.1% 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 imports of copper bars, rods, and profiles declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 130.9 million US dollars, showing a strong decline of 11.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 180.3 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 with an 18.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 10.7% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and France formed the key group of partners for Spain's imports of copper bars, rods, and profiles in value terms. Italy represented 39.4% of imports, Germany 21.1%, and France 13.7%, jointly accounting for 74.2% 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