Pitch and pitch coke market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The pitch and pitch coke market in Spain, measured in volume, grew from 164 thousand tons in 2018 to 175 thousand tons in 2019, before declining sharply to 137 thousand tons in 2020. In value terms, the market remained stable at around $163 million in 2019, then fell to $96 million in 2020. This contraction was driven by a significant drop in production from 183 thousand tons to 135 thousand tons, alongside reduced imports and a near-collapse in exports.

Following 2020, Spanish exports of pitch and pitch coke effectively ceased, remaining at zero from 2021 through 2024. Imports recovered somewhat from the 2020 low but were volatile, peaking at 9 thousand tons in 2021 before fluctuating at lower levels. The prolonged absence of export activity marked a major shift in the trade dynamics for this industrial product.

Production pitch and pitch coke in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Pitch and pitch coke production in Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 93.5 million US dollars, marking a steep 40.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 170.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 55.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Spain produced 135.0 thousand tonnes of pitch and pitch coke, showing a sharp decrease of 26.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 25.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 183.4 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 5.8%.

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

Exports pitch and pitch coke from Spain

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their maximum in 2018 at 24 089 tonnes and fell to their lowest in 2020 at 117 tonnes, representing a 206-fold difference. In 2020, shipments from Spain abroad amounted to 117 tonnes, a 99.3% drop compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 96.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, France, and the Netherlands were the principal buyers of pitch and pitch coke from Spain, accounting for 50.5%, 23.8%, and 22.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 96.3% of total exports in kind.

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 data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2018 at 23 590 thousand US dollars and fell to their lowest in 2020 at 57 thousand US dollars, a 417-fold amplitude. In 2020, Spain exported 57 thousand US dollars of pitch and pitch coke, a reduction of 99.6% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 215.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Mexico, the Netherlands, and France remained the key destinations for exports in value terms, accounting for 50.3%, 23.7%, and 22.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they took 96.3% 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 pitch and pitch coke to Spain

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their maximum in 2018 at 14 455 tonnes and dropped to their lowest in 2020 at 2 276 tonnes, a 6.4-fold variation. In 2020, Spain imported 2 276 tonnes of pitch and pitch coke, reflecting a decrease of 72.5% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 126.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, China, and Germany were the key partners for imports in kind, accounting for 44.8%, 32.7%, and 14.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 92.2% of total 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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports climbed to their maximum in 2019 at 21 393 thousand US dollars and dropped to a minimum in 2020 at 2 317 thousand US dollars, a 9.2-fold shift. In 2020, Spain imported approximately 2 317 thousand US dollars of pitch and pitch coke, marking a sharp loss of 89.2% compared with 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 305.5%.

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

In 2017 to 2020, Japan and China remained the key destinations for imports in value terms, jointly taking 83.4% of total flows, while other partners were much less significant individually.

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

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