Saturated acyclic hydrocarbons market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for saturated acyclic hydrocarbons saw considerable volatility between 2018 and 2024. After a peak of 588 thousand tons in 2018, consumption contracted over the next two years, falling to 510 thousand tons in 2020. A rebound in 2021 brought the market back to 592 thousand tons, but this recovery proved temporary as volumes declined steadily thereafter, plunging to 324 thousand tons by 2024.

This downward trend in the later years aligned with the increasing impact of sustainability-oriented regulations. From 2023, energy policies and decarbonization strategies began to affect demand patterns. The subsequent introduction of EU Directive 2024/1275 on building energy efficiency and Spain's own TED/728/2024 Order, which promotes biofuels for transport, directly reduced consumption of conventional saturated acyclic hydrocarbons.

Market value mirrored the physical downturn, though a price surge in 2022 lifted the value to 746 million USD before it dropped to 326 million USD in 2024. Throughout the period, the market operated under the oversight of the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC), with mandatory data reporting to CORES ensuring supply security and market transparency.

Production saturated acyclic hydrocarbons in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's production of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 347.1 million US dollars, marking a 26.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 10.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 587.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 20.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Spain's production of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 534.9 thousand tonnes, a slight reduction of 2.6% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production dropped by 11.3%, translating to an annualized decline of 3.9%. The peak was in 2018 with 612.5 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 1.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 10.3%.

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

Exports saturated acyclic hydrocarbons from Spain

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain's exports of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons totaled 31 237 tonnes, reflecting a 1.5% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 7.6%, with an annualized decline of 2.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 28 546 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 15.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 11.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's exports of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons were heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 72.1% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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 exports of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 24 769 thousand US dollars, down 26.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.3%. The highest value was in 2019 at 33 564 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, France, and India were the key destinations for Spain's exports of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons in value terms. China accounted for 56.0% of exports, France for 8.1%, and India for 6.3%, together making up 70.4% 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 saturated acyclic hydrocarbons to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imports of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons showed notable fluctuations during the period. The lowest volume was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports reached 5 901 tonnes, a 44.4% decrease from the previous year. The maximum was recorded in 2019 at 10 611 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 140.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway were the main suppliers of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons to Spain. Germany accounted for 41.7% of imports in kind, the Netherlands for 29.3%, and Norway for 11.7%, together comprising 82.8% 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, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Spain's imports of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 7 345 thousand US dollars, a 31.8% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.7%. The highest value was in 2019 at 10 769 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 36.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, three main markets—Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal—together accounted for 63.2% of Spain's total imports of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons in value terms.

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

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