New record for Catalan exports

Growing sales abroad is a continuing trend in Catalonia, now reaching 25.4% of Spain's total amount

Containers at the Port of Barcelona (ACN)
Containers at the Port of Barcelona (ACN) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

April 20, 2018 12:40 PM

Catalonia is leading exports in Spain. During the first two months of the year, Catalan sales of goods abroad comprised 25.4% of all exports in Spain, according to figures published by the Spanish Ministry of Economy this Friday. The exports from Catalan companies have increased 4.9% in the two first months of 2018, compared to the same period last year, which is a historic record for this time period. It’s the total of 11.5 billion euros in exported goods that puts Catalonia at the top of the ranking in Spain. At the same time, Spanish exports also rose to a historic level, with a 4.4% increase between January and February this year, registering a record 45,419.2 million euros of sales abroad.

Chemical industry in the lead

The chemical industry was the sector with the most foreign sales, accounting for 3,116.4 million euros, comprising a 27.1% of the total Catalan exports. Imports have also risen a 9% compared to the same time period last year. In total, Catalonia bought goods worth 4,874.4 million euros in the year's first two months.

Growing exports a continuing trend

The increase in Catalan exports demonstrates a continuing of the trend seen throughout last year, when Catalan companies registered a record 70.8 billion euros of sales abroad