Slaked market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish slaked lime market volume rose from 334 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 479 thousand tons in 2020, marked by strong growth in both domestic production and overall consumption.

A sustained downturn began in 2021, driven by multiple cost and demand pressures. In 2022, production was affected by limestone price volatility due to increased mining costs and stricter environmental regulations. The following year, the European Central Bank's interest rate hikes to nearly 4.5% raised financing costs, dampening construction demand, while government interventions in the housing market altered sector dynamics. Continued rises in the national minimum wage added further pressure on production expenses.

By 2024, persistent inflation and high interest rates continued to restrain private consumption and demand for construction materials like slaked lime. Global fluctuations in raw material prices and ongoing environmental compliance requirements maintained challenging conditions for producers, even as some related sectors such as cement showed signs of modest recovery.

Production slaked in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Spain's slaked production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 44 579 K $ US, representing a 23.3% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 42%, which equates to an annualized rate of 12.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Slaked production in Spain rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 506.4 K t were produced, up by 22.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 37.6%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 11.2%.

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

Exports slaked from Spain

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, slaked deliveries from Spain reached 51 617 t, reflecting a 9.4% increase compared to 2019. The lowest level was recorded in 2019 at 47 201 t, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 55 492 t. The largest decline of 14.9% was observed in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Finland, and Côte d'Ivoire were the main destinations for Spain's slaked exports in kind. France accounted for 41.3% of exports, Finland for 10.3%, and Côte d'Ivoire for 7.6%, together representing 59.1% of total 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

Spain exported 6 188 K $ US of slaked in 2020, which is 12.6% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 494 K $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 6 745 K $ US. The largest decline of 18.5% occurred in 2019, and the largest increase of 19.5% was in 2018.

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

During 2017–2020, France, Finland, and Portugal formed the main cluster of markets for Spain's slaked exports in value terms. France represented 33.9% of exports, Finland 11.2%, and Portugal 9.7%, together accounting for 54.8% 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 slaked to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Slaked deliveries to Spain increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 24 552 t, showing little change compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports grew by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest level was recorded in 2018 at 20 013 t. The largest decline of 1.9% occurred in 2018, while the largest increase of 22.2% was in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, France and Portugal were the key partner countries for Spain's slaked imports in kind, together accounting for 86.4% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other partners.

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 volume of slaked imports to Spain rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 377 K $ US, representing a 5.7% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 33.7%, which equates to an annualized rate of 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Portugal remained the main suppliers of slaked to Spain, together accounting for 81.2% of total imports in value terms, with the rest fragmented across other countries.

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

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