Catalan exports set September record despite US sales slump

Catalan exports rose 5.9% year-on-year in September, reaching €8.57 billion, marking a new record for the month.

The growth in exports has not been enough to offset a 9.9% increase in imports, which reached €10.04 billion. This trend has characterized the year so far.

As of September, the trade deficit for 2025 stood at €11.21 billion, up 34.5% compared with the same period last year.

The impact of US tariffs on the European Union is noteworthy: exports to the United States fell 2.4% to €316 million. In contrast, exports to Asia grew 14% to €715 million.

US slump, EU and Asia rise

On August 7, US tariffs on EU goods came into effect at a 15% base rate, following a political agreement between the Trump administration and the 27 EU member states.

The US president had threatened duties of up to 30% if a deal was not reached.

While sales to the US continued to decline in September, imports from the country surged 36% to €464.6 million.

Exports to Mexico fell 3.8%, moving the Americas into third place among Catalonia's export markets, behind Europe and Asia.

Overall, Catalan exports to the Americas rose 1.1%, driven by strong growth in Chile (+27.2%) and Canada (+31.1%).

Exports to the European Union totalled €5.47 billion. Sales to EU partners rebounded 8.3% after an August dip, with increases in sales to France (+7.4%), Germany (+9.7%), Italy (+13.2%), Portugal (+18.6%), and the Netherlands (+27.6%).

In contrast, exports to non-EU European countries fell 5.3% to €1.20 billion.

Catalan exports to Asia saw a 14% increase, reaching €714.9 million. fueled by a 6.5% rise in sales to China.

Imports from China, however, continued to outpace exports, reaching €1.34 billion (+8.2%). Notable export growth was also recorded in sales to India (+39.6%) and South Korea (+49%), while exports to Japan fell 11.3%.

Sales to Israel rose 43.1% to €43.1 million.

Chemical industry, top exporter

By sector, the chemical industry remained Catalonia's top exporter at €2.40 billion (+1.4%). However, food, beverages, and tobacco saw faster growth, rising 11.5% to €1.40 billion, followed by capital goods at €1.40 billion, up 5% year-on-year.

From January to September, Catalonia's total exports reached €75.33 billion, up 1.5% compared with the same period last year.

The strongest growth so far in 2025 came from capital goods (+10.6%) and food (+8%), while chemicals grew modestly (+0.4%).

Imports in September rose 9.9% year-on-year to €10.04 billion, marking the second time imports exceeded €10 billion for any September on record. For the year to date, imports totaled €86.54 billion, up 4.9% from 2024.

The worsening trade balance continued in September. The cumulative trade deficit for the first nine months of 2025 reached €11.21 billion, a jump of 34.5% on the €8.34 billion registered in 2024, reflecting Catalonia's growing dependence on imports.

Spanish exports

Spanish exports rose 2.6% year-on-year in September to €32.42 billion, while imports increased 10% to €38.42 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of €6.00 billion, compared with €3.29 billion in September 2024.

Spanish exports for the year to September reached €288.34 billion (+0.5%), while imports climbed 5% to €329.45 billion, pushing the trade deficit to €41.11 billion, up 51.7%.