Nitrogen market in Spain, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish nitrogen market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2024, starting at 1 545 thousand m³ in 2018 and reaching 1 766 thousand m³ by the end of the period. After a temporary peak of 1 640 thousand m³ in 2019, consumption dipped to 1 487 thousand m³ in 2020 before entering a sustained recovery phase.

A key regulatory shift occurred in January 2022 with the introduction of Royal Decree 47/2022, which strengthened controls on nitrate pollution in water by setting maximum excess nitrogen thresholds and mandating the registration of fertilization plans. This decree directly influenced the supply and use of nitrogen fertilizers, supporting the market's rebound to 1 541 thousand m³ that year.

Subsequent regulatory developments further shaped market dynamics. EU Regulation 2023/2108, which reduced permitted levels of nitrites and nitrates in food additives, affected nitrogen demand from the food industry. In 2024, new rules facilitating the use of nitrogen in cosmetics and personal care products, coupled with the recognition of modified atmosphere packaging methods for food preservation, generated additional industrial demand and helped drive market volume to 1 766 thousand m³.

Production nitrogen in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's nitrogen output was valued at 180.8 million US dollars, marking a 4.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 187.1 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 15.7% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with a drop of 7.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Spain's nitrogen production declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1 554 million cubic meters, which represents a 5.4% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 6.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 653 million cubic meters, when production surged by 13.6%, the largest increase during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports nitrogen from Spain

Exports in kind, M m³

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their highest point in 2018 at 142.1 million cubic meters, then fell to their lowest in 2019 at 19.2 million cubic meters, a 7.4-fold difference. In 2020, Spain exported 86.9 million cubic meters of nitrogen, reflecting a sharp increase of 352.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 86.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal was the dominant market for Spain's nitrogen exports in kind, accounting for 94.3% of the total.

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

Nitrogen export values from Spain declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 2 783 thousand US dollars, an 18.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 25.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 258 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.4%. In 2019, exports experienced the most significant decline, dropping by 20.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal remained the leading buyer of nitrogen from Spain in value terms, representing 76.1% of total exports, while the remainder was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports nitrogen to Spain

Imports in kind, M m³

The data indicates irregular changes, suggesting a volatile market environment. Import volumes peaked in 2018 at 33.9 million cubic meters and dropped to their lowest in 2019 at 16.4 million cubic meters, a 2.1-fold difference. In 2020, imports to Spain amounted to 18.1 million cubic meters, up 10.1% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 51.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 77.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Throughout 2017-2020, Portugal was the main destination for Spain's nitrogen imports in kind, accounting for 81.4% of total flows, with the rest spread across various smaller markets.

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

In 2020, cross-border shipments of nitrogen to Spain totaled 2 258 thousand US dollars, up 5.6% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 139 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 2 434 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 12.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with an 8.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Belgium, and Germany formed the key group of partners for Spain's nitrogen imports in value terms. Portugal accounted for 48.2%, Belgium for 14.0%, and Germany for 9.1% of total imports, collectively representing 71.4% of all flows.

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

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