Today, we detail our top 10 data sources to help you with your market research in Spain. In this article, we list the leading providers of national statistical data on the national market, economy and the specificities of the Spanish sector.
A checklist is also provided at the end of this article.
Summary
- Official national statistics
- Companies financial data
- Consumer protection
- Customs and border protection
- Sector data for your market research in Spain
- Also, worth consulting
Official national statistics
Official national statistics are a “must” when it comes to data. These are provided by official authorities, making them irrefutable and giving credibility to your research. Each country has an official institute that offers the highest level of quality. For your market research in Spain, this entity is the INE, which disseminates official national statistics on the following topics: agriculture and environment, science and technology, demography and population, economy, industry, energy and construction, labour market, services, living standards and conditions, society.
How to use this data for your market research?
- Define a geographical location (catchment area) based on regional demographics and economy
- Understanding consumer purchasing behaviour
- Defining competitors in the market
- Understanding some key legislative restrictions
This data will be particularly useful if you need to carry out PESTEL research (to find out more about PESTEL, click here).
Companies Financial data
Find out as comprehensively as possible about the financial health of the companies that will revolve around you and your project (competitors, partners, suppliers, even prospects if you work in B2B). This will enable you to judge the competitiveness of the market.
Several websites offer information on Spanish companies:
e-informa or informa.es which propose, as is the case in many countries, to sell companies’ financial data.
These analyses of financial data (balance sheets, results, turnover, and so on) will be essential for investigating the competitiveness of the market.
If you work in B2B, these tools will also be useful to you to define your target, its financial health and its potential in terms of investment, not to mention listing your prospects in this market.
Consumer protection
The OCU (Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios) sets out the rights of Spanish consumers and users and proposes comparisons to help them in their purchasing decisions. A wide range of topics are covered according to products, services and sectors of activity.
You can also go to the “Consumption” section of the Ministry of Health’s website for more information on commercial health legislation.
The information that you will be able to draw from this source will allow you to compare your product or service with those proposed by your competitors. You will also be able to take advantage of it to judge the potential interest of your solution in the Spanish market. Remember that the first idea is rarely the right one. Don’t be discouraged if you perceive a lack of alignment with market demand. Consider this as an opportunity to improve your primary idea.
Customs and border protection
When importing or exporting products and services from or to foreign countries, it is imperative to find out about customs laws and regulations. The customs agency’s website provides details of policies in terms of taxes and customs, whether for individuals or legal entities (companies and professionals).
Customs websites are an excellent source of data for your PESTEL research, especially for the “L” (Legal aspects).
We have dedicated an article to market research applied to the export sector. You can access it here.
Sector data for your market research in Spain
To get to the heart of the matter and give even more credibility to your market research, you will need to investigate the sector data in detail. Below you will find an overview of the best sources of sector data.
Health
Official data on Spanish public health is available on the official government website of the Ministry of Health, which proposes data segmented according to the interlocutor (citizen or professional) and publishes files and numerical reports on health.
The food industry
Various vital topics related to the food and agriculture sector are addressed on the website of AESAN, the Spanish Agency for Food and Nutritional Safety.
You will find a wide range of information on market prices, food security and legislation.
The Spanish government also publishes key information on the outlook for 2030 here.
Agriculture
For those involved in the agricultural market, the official website listing information on the food and agriculture market mentioned above will be an interesting source to consult. However, your primary source of information remains the Ministry of Agriculture website. It is full of legal information, figures and news about the Spanish agricultural market:
Transport
Actors in the transport sector should visit the website of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Town Planning (MITMA) to gather as much legal and official information as possible on:
In each case, information for individuals, professionals, and companies as well as on the legislation in force.
Housing
The government reference for the Spanish housing market is the website of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Development (MITMA), under the housing tab. Here you will find essential information on the rights of tenants and landlords; the National Housing Plan launched in 2018, architecture and buildings, and urban planning and land.
Energy
For all the data on the Spanish energy market, visit the website energia.gob.es, which includes statistics and reports on the energy market, as well as information on procedures, the involvement of public authorities, and so on.
Innovation
In Spain, innovative initiatives are notably supported by the CDTI (Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation) subsidised by the Ministry of Science and Innovation. In particular, you will find an exciting tab on R&D and innovation aid and its internationalisation. It should be noted that this aid and support is mainly (if not exclusively) thought out and dedicated to Spanish companies. Do not hesitate to visit one of our articles on other countries to discover the initiatives supported in your country.
Checklist
| Theme | Data source | Interest for your market research in Spain |
| Nationals statistics | INE | Official figures to contribute to your PESTEL study |
| Financial data | Competition research, profitability of the sector | |
| Consumer protection | OCU | Market analysis, sector analysis |
| Customs and border protection | Customs agency | Aspects Légaux de l’analyse PESTEL |
| Sector data – Health | Ministry of Health | Files on health issues and medicines |
| Sector data – The food industry | AESAN | Indicators on the food industry market and legal aspects |
| Sector data – Agriculture | Ministry of Agriculture | Agricultural legislation, agreements and policies |
| Sector data – Transport | MITMA – Transport | Agreements and restrictions according to means of transport |
| Sector data – Housing | MITMA – Housing | Housing market and related issues |
| Sector data – Energy | energia.gob.es | Energy indicators and legislation |
| Sector data – Innovation | CDTI | Aide à l’innovation |
Also, worth consulting
- Top 10 data sources in France
- Top 10 data sources in Belgium
- Top 10 data sources in Switzerland
- Top 10 data sources in Luxemburg
- Top 10 data sources in Germany
- Top 10 data sources in the United Kindgom
- Top 10 data sources in Italy
- Top 10 data sources in Portugal
- Top 10 data sources in the Netherlands
- Top 10 data sources in the EU
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Posted in Marketing.
