Felt market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish felt market volume in physical terms rose from 10 234 t in 2018 to 17 238 t in 2024, with a notable surge in 2022. Early regulatory support came from the 2018 decree-law on circular economy and the plastic bag reduction mandate, which pressured industries such as footwear to seek reusable alternatives like felt.

Market volume jumped by 49% in 2022 to 17 439 t, directly driven by the publication of Royal Decree 1055/2022 on packaging waste. This decree established extended producer responsibility for all packaging containing felt and required food retailers to dedicate at least 20% of their sales area to bulk goods, compelling supply chains to adopt felt-based reusable solutions. Subsequent years saw stabilization as the industry adapted to new consumer information obligations in 2023 and prepared for the 2025 extension of the rules to commercial and industrial packaging.

In value terms, the market increased from $21.4 million in 2018 to $32.7 million in 2024, with accelerated growth after 2021 alongside the regulatory push for higher environmental standards and reusable packaging applications.

Production felt in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, felt production in Spain experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 30 790 thousand US dollars, marking a controlled decrease of 9.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 33 964 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 7.1% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Spain's felt production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 12 561 tonnes of felt were produced, showing little change from 2019 on a year-over-year basis. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 760 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.7%. In contrast, the largest increase was observed in 2019 with a 6.3% rise.

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

Exports felt from Spain

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, felt volumes exported from Spain reached 8 677 tonnes, remaining largely stable compared to 2019 on a year-over-year basis. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 606 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 0.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, felt exports from Spain were characterized by a broad distribution across markets. France accounted for 24.2% of exports in kind, Portugal for 14.7%, and the United States for 8.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 47.6% of total export flows, indicating a diverse market presence.

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 felt export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 32 021 thousand US dollars, showing a decrease of 13.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 27.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the buyer portfolio for felt from Spain was broad. France contributed 15.6% of exports in value terms, Germany 13.3%, and Portugal 9.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 38.4% of total exports in value terms, while many other countries held smaller but significant shares.

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

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

Imports felt to Spain

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Spain's felt import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 7 578 tonnes, down by 19.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 15.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 448 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 33.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and China were the primary suppliers of felt to Spain. Italy accounted for 26.2% of imports in kind, France for 25.9%, and China for 16.2%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for 68.3% of total imports in kind.

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

The volume of felt imports into Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 18 798 thousand US dollars, which is 19.2% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 26 680 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 7.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy, Portugal, and China made the biggest contributions to Spain's felt imports in value terms. Italy accounted for 32.2%, Portugal for 20.1%, and China for 11.5%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for 63.8% 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