Portland cement market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish Portland cement market expanded from 12 949 thousand tons in 2018 to 14 729 thousand tons in 2021. Initial growth was fueled by residential construction, with over 100 000 housing starts in 2018, sustaining demand into 2019. After a dip to 13 137 thousand tons in 2020, the market rebounded sharply in 2021, boosted by European Union recovery funds under the Plan for Recovery, Transformation and Resilience, which increased infrastructure budgets and lifted consumption.

Following the 2021 peak, market volume eased to 14 275 thousand tons in 2022 amid high energy costs and rising energy taxes, prompting producers to seek alternative fuels, as seen at the El Alto plant. Volume recovered to 14 824 thousand tons in 2023 despite persistent electricity price pressures, supported by product innovation and a shift toward more sustainable manufacturing processes. By 2024, the market reached 14 896 thousand tons, showing stabilization.

Production portland cement in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Spain's portland cement production value declined. In 2020, output was valued at 1 258 million US dollars, representing a slight contraction of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Production increased by 3.5% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 270 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 3.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following two years of expansion, portland cement production in Spain experienced a decline. In 2020, Spain produced 15 642 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.3% decrease from 2019. The highest production volume was achieved in 2019 with 16 347 thousand tonnes, and the most significant annual growth was observed in 2018 at 1.7%.

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

Exports portland cement from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, portland cement exports from Spain showed an increase. In 2020, exports totaled 3 115 thousand tonnes, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.6%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 106 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual decline also occurring in 2019 at 12.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three main markets for Spain's portland cement exports in volume terms were the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, collectively accounting for 64.8% 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

Portland cement exports from Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 227.9 million US dollars, down by 1.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.2%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 253.6 million US dollars, with the largest annual decrease occurring in 2019 at 8.5% and the largest increase in 2018 at 7.4%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, France, the United Kingdom, and Portugal formed the primary group of destinations for Spain's portland cement exports in value terms. France accounted for 38.0% of export value, the United Kingdom for 21.9%, and Portugal for 12.6%, together representing 72.6% of total export 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 portland cement to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Portland cement imports into Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 610 thousand tonnes, rising by 6.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 91.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Italy, Turkey, and Portugal remained the main sources of portland cement imports into Spain in volume terms. Italy contributed 59.9% of import volume, Turkey 18.3%, and Portugal 17.9%, jointly accounting for 96.1% 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, M $ US

Portland cement imports into Spain rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, Spain imported 39.3 million US dollars worth of portland cement, representing a 15.0% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 98.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 25.6%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Italy, Turkey, and Portugal were the primary suppliers of portland cement to Spain in value terms. Italy accounted for 47.6% of import value, Turkey for 23.6%, and Portugal for 17.8%, together making up 89.0% of total import value.

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

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