NPK fertilizers market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish NPK fertilizers market volume grew moderately from 2,020 thousand tons in 2018 to 2,114 thousand tons in 2020. In 2019, this increase was supported by an expansion in spring grain and corn planting areas driven by improved crop prices, which raised demand for fertilizers.

A sharp surge of 40% lifted the market to 2,955 thousand tons in 2021, coinciding with a record domestic NPK fertilizer production of approximately 2.6 million tons. The following year, however, volume fell by 19% to 2,383 thousand tons, largely due to global volatility in raw material prices for ammonia and phosphate rock, alongside geopolitical tensions that disrupted supply chains and squeezed producer margins.

By 2023, market volume further declined to 2,122 thousand tons. During this period, distinct industry trends emerged, including a rising preference for personalized NPK blends tailored to specific crops, increased demand for water-soluble fertilizers especially in greenhouse horticulture, and the launch of hundreds of new products worldwide, reflecting a shift towards precision agriculture and sustainable nutrient management.

Production NPK fertilizers in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

NPK fertilizer production in Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 512.7 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 1.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 528.8 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 14.4% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

NPK fertilizer production in Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain produced 1,867 thousand tons of NPK fertilizers, representing a 15.2% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%.

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

Exports NPK fertilizers from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

NPK fertilizer exports from Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 454.5 thousand tons, which is 31.3% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 66.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 18.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Algeria, and Ghana led the structure of exports in kind, accounting for 49.5%, 9.0%, and 8.1% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 66.6% 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, M $ US

Foreign NPK fertilizer supplies from Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 196.1 million US dollars worth of NPK fertilizers, amounting to a 10.2% rise relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 33.2%, with an annualized rate of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of NPK fertilizers from Spain were distributed across many countries. Portugal, Algeria, and Mexico accounted for 28.2%, 8.1%, and 6.6% of exports in value terms, respectively, jointly representing 42.9% 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 NPK fertilizers to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, the volume of NPK fertilizer imports into Spain declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 701.7 thousand tons, representing a 14.9% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 824.8 thousand tons, while the largest increase of 7.1% occurred in 2018.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Portugal, and Norway were the top suppliers of NPK fertilizers to Spain in terms of volume, accounting for 26.1%, 21.8%, and 16.8% of imports in kind, respectively. Their combined share reached 64.8% of total imports.

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

NPK fertilizer deliveries to Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain imported 214.4 million US dollars worth of NPK fertilizers, marking a reduction of 20.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 271.8 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 22.9% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Portugal, and Norway stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms, accounting for 25.5%, 20.6%, and 15.1% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 61.2% 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