Copper wire market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish copper wire market entered the period with structural changes, including the 2018 closure of the Cabelte-Incasa plant in Pamplona and Prysmian Group's acquisition of General Cable, which reshaped the supplier landscape. Concurrently, demand was supported by a nearly 10% growth in the power cable segment, driven by residential construction and renewable energy projects. The following year saw the adaptation of national fire reaction standards for telecommunications cables to European norms, altering product specifications for certain installations.

By 2022, the sector's turnover increased by 18.9% primarily due to inflationary pressures on raw material and energy costs, while physical sales volumes remained largely stable. The introduction of a new tax on non-reusable plastics under the Waste Law further elevated production expenses. This period also witnessed a significant 45% rise in installations of low-smoke, zero-halogen (LSHF) cables, reflecting shifting preferences toward safer materials.

In the latter part of the period, new regional regulations such as Catalonia's decree mandating high-safety Cca-type cables for establishments came into force. Market dynamics were influenced by growing demand from telecommunications infrastructure expansion, electric vehicles, and renewable energy projects. However, a steady increase in exports, reaching 173.4 thousand tons by 2024, contributed to a reduction in domestic market volume, which settled at 220.2 thousand tons.

Production copper wire in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's copper wire output was valued at 1,602 million US dollars, showing a 5.1% contraction compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Spain produced 327.5 thousand tonnes of copper wire, representing a moderate year-on-year decline of 6.3%.

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

Exports copper wire from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Copper wire exports from Spain declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 131.3 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 8.7% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 27.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco (28.3% of exports in kind), Portugal (23.1%), and Italy (19.4%) were the main destinations for Spain's copper wire exports in kind, together accounting for 70.8% of total 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, M $ US

Spain's copper wire export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 751.2 million US dollars, marking a 1.3% decrease versus the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 20.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco (32.6% of exports in value terms), Portugal (19.3%), and Italy (17.8%) were the principal destinations for Spain's copper wire exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 69.7% 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 copper wire to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign copper wire supplies to Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain imported 35.4 thousand tonnes of copper wire, marking a 1.2% year-on-year decline. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 40.0 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 24.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France (48.8% of imports in kind), Germany (21.7%), and Italy (16.4%) remained the main sources for copper wire imports in kind to Spain, jointly taking 86.9% 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

Copper wire imports to Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 202.5 million US dollars, marking a limited 7.4% decrease relative to the prior year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 257.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 35.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (49.0% of imports in value terms), Germany (23.0%), and Italy (15.3%) continued to lead as suppliers of copper wire to Spain, jointly accounting for 87.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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