Slate market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish slate market volume grew from 839 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 071 thousand tons in 2020. This increase was driven by measures to boost the competitiveness of the industrial sector, including updated product safety regulations aligned with European standards. The alignment of industrial policy with the Sustainable Development Goals in 2019 further promoted sustainable production. The approval of the Spanish Circular Economy Strategy and the basic waste law in 2020 reinforced demand for local construction materials like slate by promoting circular economy principles.

After reaching its peak, the market volume contracted to 895 thousand tons in 2021. It recovered to 969 thousand tons in 2022, supported by the draft of the new Industry Law which introduced incentives for reindustrialization, digitalization, and circular economy projects, including the production of strategic goods. The market saw a modest decline to 924 thousand tons in 2023 and a more pronounced drop to 767 thousand tons in 2024.

Throughout the period, Spain maintained its position as a world leader in slate production and exports. Regulatory measures such as the mandatory nine-month advance notice for plant closures and the requirement to return public aid if production is significantly reduced, established by the Industry Law, aimed to secure industrial investments and autonomy.

Production slate in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's slate production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 224.7 million US dollars, marking a slight decline of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 9.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 230.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Spain's slate production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 1 088 thousand tonnes of slate were produced, representing a rise of 17.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 849 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.7%.

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

Exports slate from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Slate exports from Spain increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 21 957 tonnes of slate, showing a slight rise of 2.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 16.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 287 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 8.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 24.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and France played the leading roles in exports by volume, together accounting for 86.1% of total flows, while 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

In 2020, slate exports from Spain reached 10 595 thousand US dollars, constituting a decline of 18.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 039 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and France were the leading destinations for exports in value terms, together accounting for 82.9% of total flows, with the remainder dispersed among other countries.

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

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

Imports slate to Spain

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain's slate imports amounted to 5 064 tonnes, up by 1.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 989 tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 36.4%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 7 841 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 11.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for imports by volume were Portugal, France, and Brazil, together accounting for 88.5% of total 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

Slate imports to Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value totalled 1 299 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp reduction of 32.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 54%, equating to an annualized rate of 22.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 844 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 0.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of slate to Spain in value terms were India (38.5% of imports), Portugal (23.6% of imports), and France (15.2% of imports), together comprising 77.2% 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