Tallow market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish tallow market volume showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 180.4 thousand tons in 2018, it dipped to 173.5 thousand tons the following year before recovering to 182.1 thousand tons in 2020. A sharp increase of 12% then drove the market to a peak of 203.9 thousand tons in 2021.

This growth reversed in 2022 as the market contracted by 13% to 178.0 thousand tons. The decline was influenced by growing health concerns over saturated fats and a shift in consumer preferences toward plant-based alternatives, which reduced demand for tallow in food applications. While tallow remained used in non-food sectors like biofuels, animal feed, and soap manufacturing, these supports could not offset the overall drop in consumption. The market continued to shrink in 2023, falling a further 8% to 163.4 thousand tons.

Production tallow in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain maintained the 10th position globally in terms of tallow production volume.

Top producers of tallow, 2017-2020

World map of production of tallow, 2017-2020

Spain's tallow production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 145.7 K t of tallow, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 2.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 11.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's tallow output was valued at 112.1 M $ US, representing a significant gain of 11.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 21.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 121.3 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 17.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 31.4%.

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

Exports tallow from Spain

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their minimum in 2018 at 304 t and peaked in 2019 at 6 060 t, representing a 20-fold difference between these years. In 2020, tallow exports from Spain amounted to 359 t, reflecting a sharp decline of 94.1% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1 892.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands was the primary destination for Spain's tallow exports in kind, accounting for 82.2% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, showing a 19-fold shift. In 2020, Spain exported 277 K $ US of tallow, indicating an abrupt reduction of 93.5% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 281 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 1 495.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the principal market for Spain's tallow exports in value terms, accounting for 80.4% of total exports. Other destinations formed a less significant tail.

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

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

Imports tallow to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's tallow import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 36 739 t, equivalent to a decrease of 2.8% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports fell by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France was the principal source for tallow imports to Spain in kind, accounting for 89.4% of total imports. Other destinations formed a less significant tail.

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

After a two-year decrease, Spain's imported tallow volumes increased. In 2020, imports totaled 26 701 K $ US, corresponding to a steep gain of 25.8% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 19.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 229 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 21.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France absorbed 87.9% of the total value of tallow imports to Spain, with the balance spread across a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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