Nitric acid and sulphonitric acids market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish nitric acid and sulphonitric acids market reached its highest volume in 2019 at 100 947 tons, but then contracted over the next two years, falling to 77 113 tons by 2021.

In 2022, market volume dropped sharply to 58 355 tons, a decline closely tied to the introduction of Ley 25/2022, which imposed licensing and market-access controls on nitric acid as an explosive precursor, restricting distribution and sales.

Despite subsequent regulatory pressures – including EU limits on nitrates in food additives and the inclusion of nitric acid production under the EU Emissions Trading System from 2024 – the market rebounded to 63 081 tons in 2023 and further to 81 526 tons in 2024.

Production nitric acid and sulphonitric acids in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, Spain's production of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids declined. In 2020, output was valued at 12 234 K $ US, marking a sharp 44.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 34%, which translates to an annualized decline of 12.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 22 043 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 12.0% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Following two years of growth, nitric acid and sulphonitric acids production in Spain declined. In 2020, Spain produced 33 735 t, representing a sharp 48.3% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 41.3%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 16.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 65 222 t, and the largest increase also occurred in 2019 with an 11.6% rise.

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

Exports nitric acid and sulphonitric acids from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's export volume of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 8 690 t, showing an abrupt 50.9% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 55.2%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 23.5%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 21 393 t, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 with a 10.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Portugal remained the primary buyers of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids from Spain, together accounting for 84.6% of total exports in volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

The value of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids exports from Spain declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 3 099 K $ US, corresponding to a 44.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 43.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -17.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 6 157 K $ US, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 with a 13.1% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—France, Algeria, and Portugal—remained central to Spain's exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 89.9% 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 nitric acid and sulphonitric acids to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain imported a total of value_last_year t of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids in 2020, down by 0.7% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 52 339 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 3.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 2.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal and France clearly dominated Spain's imports of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids in volume, jointly accounting for 96.9% of total flows, with other countries holding much smaller shares.

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 value of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids imports into Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain imported a total of value_last_year K $ US, down by 7.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 10 111 K $ US, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 with a 4.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal and France were the dominant suppliers of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids to Spain in value terms, together accounting for 89.2% of total imports, with other partners playing a less significant role.

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

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