Potassium nitrate market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the potassium nitrate market size in Spain contracted from $133.6 million to $114.5 million. This period saw the publication of EU Regulations 2018/841 and 2018/842, which tightened member states' obligations to protect waters from nitrate pollution, and a 2019 European Commission report highlighting excessive nitrogen levels in Spanish waters, prompting urgent measures. The entry into force of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 in 2020 further regulated nitrites and nitrates as food additives, aligning with evolving safety assessments.

Market size recovered to $123.8 million in 2021 and surged to $190.7 million in 2022. Regulatory developments included a 2021 Commission report on the Nitrates Directive that confirmed critical nitrate levels in groundwater and led to the approval of Royal Decree 47/2022 in January 2022. This decree replaced older legislation and established a digital system for farmers to calculate nitrogen and phosphorus needs from 2024 onwards, while amendments to Regulation (EU) 2023/2108 reduced maximum permitted levels of nitrites and nitrates in foods.

In 2023, the market size plummeted to $86.7 million following the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2023/2108, which lowered maximum limits for nitrite and nitrate food additives effective October 2023. The market partially rebounded to $106.6 million in 2024, supported by EU Decision 2024/1225 mandating the addition of potassium nitrite and sodium nitrite in regulated meat products, a subsidy to the sole domestic potassium nitrate producer Nitroparis, and rising prices for potassium nitrate that reflected broader market volatility.

Production potassium nitrate in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Spain's potassium nitrate production experienced a two-year growth period before declining. In 2019, output reached its peak at 9 871 K $ US. However, in 2020, production fell to 9 160 K $ US, representing a moderate 7.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production increased by 56.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 16.1%. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, when production surged by 50.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

The potassium nitrate market demonstrated notable volatility during the observed period. Production volume reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019 at 13 388 tons. In 2020, Spain produced 10 364 tons of potassium nitrate, marking a 22.6% decline from the previous year. The difference between the highest and lowest production volumes was substantial, with 2019's output being 2.9 times greater than 2017's. The most dramatic increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 81.3%.

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

Exports potassium nitrate from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Following two consecutive years of decline, Spain's potassium nitrate exports showed a modest recovery. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 38.7 K tons. The following year, 2020, saw exports rise to 39.1 K tons, representing a slight 1.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 44.5%, averaging an annual decline of 17.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 41.2%.

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

From 2017 through 2020, Turkey, Italy, and Portugal consistently formed Spain's primary export markets for potassium nitrate in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 49.3% of exports, Italy represented 18.3%, and Portugal contributed 16.4%. Together, these three countries represented 84.0% of Spain's total potassium nitrate exports during this period.

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

Spain's potassium nitrate exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 29.6 M $ US, representing a 4.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values fell by 48.1%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 19.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Turkey, Portugal, and Italy emerged as Spain's principal export destinations for potassium nitrate in value terms. Turkey accounted for 47.7% of export value, Portugal represented 17.4%, and Italy contributed 16.2%. Collectively, these three markets represented 81.2% of Spain's total potassium nitrate export value.

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

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

Imports potassium nitrate to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's potassium nitrate imports in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 112.1 K tons, representing a sharp 41.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes fell by 49%, averaging an annual decline of 20.1%.

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

From 2017 through 2020, Chile, Israel, and Jordan consistently served as Spain's primary sources of potassium nitrate imports in volume terms. Chile accounted for 44.0% of imports, Israel represented 19.9%, and Jordan contributed 16.4%. Together, these three countries supplied 80.3% of Spain's potassium nitrate imports during this period.

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

Spain's potassium nitrate imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, import values reached their peak at 164.4 M $ US, followed by a 17.0% decrease in 2019. In 2020, imports totaled 134.9 M $ US, representing a modest 1.1% decline from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 16.2%, averaging an annual decline of 5.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when import values rose by 2.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Chile, Israel, and Jordan consistently dominated Spain's potassium nitrate import market in value terms. Chile accounted for 47.8% of import value, Israel represented 18.3%, and Jordan contributed 15.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 81.8% of Spain's total potassium nitrate import value during this timeframe.

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

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