Quicklime market in Spain, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Spanish quicklime market experienced considerable volatility in volume, beginning from a stable level of around 1.28 million tons in 2018-2019. The industry's structure during this period featured approximately 10 companies operating 21 production plants, with energy costs accounting for 40-50% of total manufacturing expenses, highlighting the sector's sensitivity to energy prices.

Market volume fell sharply to 1.04 million tons in 2020, then rebounded strongly to over 1.41 million tons in 2021 before declining again to 1.17 million tons in 2022. By 2023, the global quicklime market continued to grow, driven by demand from construction and metallurgy, while in Spain the domestic market volume saw a slight contraction to 1.13 million tons.

In 2024, market volume edged up to 1.15 million tons. This modest increase coincided with a reported boost in construction and steel production activity in Spain. Investments in sustainable kiln technologies and stricter European and national environmental regulations promoting cleaner production methods provided supporting context for the market during the latter part of the period.

Production quicklime in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's quicklime production experienced a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 124.4 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 99.2 million US dollars, representing a 20.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 13.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.6%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 7.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Spain produced 1 297 thousand tonnes of quicklime, marking a 15.3% decrease compared to 2019. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 531 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.7%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%.

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

Exports quicklime from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Spain's quicklime exports have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 280.9 thousand tonnes, showing only a slight variation from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 44%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Ghana, and Portugal were the leading destinations for Spain's quicklime exports by volume. France accounted for 54.2% of exports, Ghana for 10.8%, and Portugal for 4.9%. Together, these three countries represented 70.0% 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Spain's quicklime exports declined in value. In 2019, exports peaked at 33 823 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 they had dropped to 30 464 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 9.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 43.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when exports surged by 34.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Ghana, and Germany were the primary destinations for Spain's quicklime exports by value. France led with 46.4% of export value, followed by Ghana at 8.9% and Germany at 6.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 61.6% 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 quicklime to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's quicklime imports showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, imports hit their lowest point, but by 2019 they had peaked at 25.0 thousand tonnes, representing a 4.3-fold increase from the minimum. In 2020, imports declined to 23.4 thousand tonnes, down 6.6% from 2019. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when imports jumped by 293.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal and France dominated Spain's quicklime imports by volume, jointly accounting for 98.9% 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, K $ US

Spain's quicklime import market displayed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017, then climbed to a peak of 2 797 thousand US dollars in 2019, a 4.4-fold increase. In 2020, imports fell sharply to 2 154 thousand US dollars, down 23.0% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a jump of 200.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Portugal was the dominant source for Spain's quicklime imports by value, accounting for 76.4% of total import flows. Other countries contributed relatively small shares.

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

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