Liquid flow and level instruments market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The market for liquid flow and level instruments in Spain saw a decline in physical volume from 2.2 million units in 2018 to 1.5 million units in 2020, while its value increased from $74.8 million to $74.7 million over the same period. This shift toward higher-value products was driven by growing industrial automation, which raised demand for continuous process monitoring and control instruments with enhanced precision. Safety regulations requiring redundant measurements in hazardous process units further encouraged the adoption of advanced technologies like radar and ultrasonic instruments. The introduction of smart digital technologies in level and flow devices improved operational efficiency, and regulatory changes mandating compliance with local and global fluid measurement standards spurred the integration of reporting systems.

After 2020, import volumes recovered and reached 3.0 million units in 2024, while exports steadily grew to 877 thousand units by 2024. This expansion was supported by increased adoption of smart sensors and the Industrial Internet of Things for real-time water quality control, replacing manual sampling methods. The growth of online and portable liquid analytical instrument segments for pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications created new demand. Tightening environmental and safety regulations continued to push for advanced liquid storage and monitoring solutions. Changes in labeling and traceability rules affected the commercialization and distribution of measurement instruments in 2023, and the 2024 launch of high-frequency FMCW radar level transmitters for demanding applications, along with radar sensor deployments in wastewater plants, improved accuracy and reliability.

Production liquid flow and level instruments in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Spain's production of liquid flow and level instruments declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 16 664 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 7.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.4%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 22 392 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 24.9% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant drop, with production falling by 19.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

The market for these instruments showed considerable volatility over this period. Production in physical units peaked in 2018 at 247.1 thousand units, then dropped sharply to a low of 105.1 thousand units in 2019—a 57.4% decline that created a 2.4-fold difference between the high and low points. However, 2020 brought a strong rebound, with output reaching 217.3 thousand units, representing a 106.7% increase from the previous year.

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

Exports liquid flow and level instruments from Spain

Exports in kind, K unit

In 2020, Spain exported 481 thousand units of liquid flow and level instruments, a slight 2.0% increase from 2019. Over the broader 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 28%, with an annualized decrease of 10.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 706 thousand units, which included a 5.8% increase that year. The lowest point came in 2019 with 471 thousand units, when exports fell by 33.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Brazil, and Israel were the primary destinations for Spain's exports of these instruments in physical terms. Germany accounted for 38.6% of exports, Brazil for 11.6%, and Israel for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 59.2% of total 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

Spain's exports of liquid flow and level instruments in value terms saw a sharp decline in 2020, dropping 29.6% year-on-year to 22 146 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 32.2%, with an annualized decrease of 12.2%. The only notable increase during this time occurred in 2019, when exports rose by 9.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's exports in value terms were quite diversified across partner countries. The top three destinations—Saudi Arabia with 10.4%, Iran with 8.5%, and Germany with 7.8%—collectively accounted for just 26.7% of total export value, indicating a wide distribution.

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

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

Imports liquid flow and level instruments to Spain

Imports in kind, K unit

Spain's imports of liquid flow and level instruments in physical units declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 1 759 thousand units, down 11.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.7%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 697 thousand units, which included a substantial 61.5% increase that year. In 2019, imports fell by 26.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and the United States were the main sources of Spain's imports in physical terms. Germany supplied 29.8% of imports, China 13.5%, and the United States 12.9%. Together, these three countries made up 56.2% 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Spain's imports of liquid flow and level instruments in value terms declined in 2020. Imports amounted to 80 146 thousand US dollars, a slight decrease of 1.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 3.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 81 609 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase of 4.7% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands were the leading sources of Spain's imports in value terms. Germany contributed 37.9% of import value, France 16.2%, and the Netherlands 13.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 68.0% 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