New record for Catalan exports in September

Catalan exports totalled €48.58 billion during the first nine months of 2016, a 2.1% increase in comparison to the same period last year and a new historic record, according to data released bythe Spanish Ministry for Economy and Competitiveness. Not only do the first nine months of the year represent a historic high but Catalan exports in September totalled €5.7 billion, which is the highest figure for this month since the beginning of the historic series, in 2000. The sectors that contributed the most to the positive export figures are the chemical sector, which concentrated 60.8% of total exports, followed by equipment goods and the automotive sector. The Barcelona area, which concentrates 20% of the exports from the whole of Spain, continues to be the region with the most internationalised economy. Madrid ranks second and centres 10.6% of Spain’s exports.

The chemical sector continues to be the one which contributes the most to Catalan exports. From January to September 2016, this sector’s sales abroad totalled €12.8 billion, representing nearly 61% of total exports and posting a 1.1% increase in comparison to the same period last year. Equipment goods registered the highest growth, since they grew by 13.2% in comparison to the first nine months of 2015, totalling €9 billion euros’ worth. Finally, the automotive sector continues to be one of the leading sectors in terms of exports; however, despite totalling €7.6 billion, it posted a 1.6% decline in comparison to the same period last year.

Barcelona area leads Spain’s exports
Exports from those companies based in the Catalan capital and its surrounding area totalled €38.3 billion between January and September. This figure is 2.9% higher than in the same period in 2015, according to the Spanish Ministry for Economy and Competitiveness. Thus, Barcelona companies posted a new record in the historic series, which started in 2000 and confirms its leading position in the whole of Spain. Indeed, Barcelona produces 20% of the exports from the whole of Spain, and continues to be the region with the most internationalised economy, ahead of Madrid, whose exports totalled €20.5 billion and encompasses 10.9% of total Spanish exports.

The chemical sector, as happens in the whole of Catalonia, tops the exports ranking, followed by equipment goods. From January to September, chemical exports totalled €10.1 billion and the equipment goods sector is the sector which grew the most (16.2%), reaching €7.4 billion worth exports.

Imports also grew from January to September
Regarding Catalonia’s imports, they totalled €57.8 billion from January to September 2016, a 1.9% growth in comparison to the same period last year. Thus, Catalonia’s trade deficit went slightly up, reaching €9.2 billion, 0.5% more than in the same period last year.