Toilet paper, tissues and towels market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for toilet paper, tissues and towels contracted to 652 thousand tons in 2019, influenced by raw material price volatility and environmental regulations that increased production costs. This trend reversed sharply in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic heightened hygiene priorities, boosting demand for paper towels and facial tissues and lifting market volume to 666 thousand tons.

Post-pandemic effects continued to drive the market, which grew to 707 thousand tons in 2021, supported by sustained hygiene awareness and European legislative shifts promoting circular economy in tissue production. In 2022, major hygiene campaigns from companies like Procter & Gamble reinforced habitual use of disposable tissues, while consumer preference for innovative, biodegradable products helped maintain volume at 713 thousand tons and pushed market value up by 23% to $1.57 billion.

After peaking in 2022, the market contracted to 660 thousand tons in 2023 but then surged by 15% in 2024 to 756 thousand tons, marking the highest volume recorded between 2018 and 2024.

Production toilet paper, tissues and towels in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, Spain's output of toilet paper, tissues, and towels reached its peak value at 1 270 million US dollars, representing a significant increase of 9.6%. The following year, in 2019, production declined to 1 152 million US dollars, marking the lowest value in the period with a substantial drop of 9.2%. By 2020, production recovered slightly to 1 171 million US dollars, showing a modest advance of 1.6% compared to 2019.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2018, Spain produced the highest volume of toilet paper, tissues, and towels at 698.8 thousand tons, reflecting an increase of 4.4%. Production then decreased to 655.9 thousand tons in 2019, the lowest point in the period with a decline of 6.1%. In 2020, output rose to 683.4 thousand tons, indicating a gradual increase of 4.2% from 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

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

Exports toilet paper, tissues and towels from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Spain's export volume of toilet paper, tissues, and towels increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 114.8 thousand tons. This represents a moderate rise of 7.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 29.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Portugal, and Morocco were the primary markets for Spain's exports of toilet paper, tissues, and towels in volume terms. France accounted for 47.1% of exports, Portugal for 27.5%, and Morocco for 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented 80.8% 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, M $ US

Spain's export value of toilet paper, tissues, and towels grew for the third year in a row in 2020, totaling 210.6 million US dollars. This marked a measured uptick of 6.2% relative to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 35.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Portugal, and Morocco were the main destinations for Spain's exports of toilet paper, tissues, and towels in value terms. France absorbed 45.0% of exports, Portugal 27.6%, and Morocco 6.2%. Collectively, these markets accounted for 78.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports toilet paper, tissues and towels to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After rising for two years, Spain's import volume of toilet paper, tissues, and towels declined in 2020 to 97.7 thousand tons, indicating a loss of 5.7% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 103.5 thousand tons, following a substantial increase of 13.7% in 2018. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 17.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Portugal, Italy, and Germany were the key partners for Spain's imports of toilet paper, tissues, and towels in volume terms. Portugal supplied 51.7% of imports, Italy 26.8%, and Germany 9.5%. Together, these three countries represented 88.0% 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, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, Spain's import value of toilet paper, tissues, and towels from abroad declined in 2020 to 192.4 million US dollars, showing no significant change from 2019. The peak import value was reached in 2019 at 192.6 million US dollars, after a notable rise of 20.8% in 2018. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 24.9%, with an annualized rate of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Italy, and Germany formed the main cluster of markets for Spain's imports of toilet paper, tissues, and towels in value terms. Portugal accounted for 48.8% of imports, Italy for 26.6%, and Germany for 9.4%. Their combined share totaled 84.8% of total import flows.

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

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