Exports from the Catalan agri-food sector grew by 15.3% last year, totaling 14,848 million euros. As highlighted this Monday by the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Generalitat, this is a "record" figure, as it exceeds the fourteen billion barrier for the first time. According to the latest available data, all branches of agricultural production have seen their export value increase, with the sole exception of fruit and vegetables. By markets, improvements are also noted in all regions, except Africa and Asia, where the decrease in purchases from China has had a special impact, a country that falls from second to third destination for Catalan food exports.
"By volume and by turnover, we export more food and beverages than economies such as Portugal, Greece, Peru, Sweden, Colombia or Japan," highlighted the Minister of Climate Action, Teresa Jordà. On the other hand, she added that Catalonia is the origin of one in four agri-food products exported by the State.
Despite the good export data, Jordà warned that producers must make an effort to focus on added value. "The sector must count more euros than kilos. If we count more euros than kilos, it is possible that we produce well, that we produce better," said the minister, reports ACN. In addition, she pointed out that everything that is produced correctly ends up being paid at a "more than fair" price. "This is what we must achieve, it is the great milestone, and as far as the export sector is concerned, we are achieving it," she concluded.
Despite the very positive balance made by the Government, there are negative notes such as the drastic fall in pork exports to China, a very important market for years that is now contracting. In this regard, the managing director of Prodeca, the public company for the promotion of Catalan food, Ramon Sentmartí, stated that the decline is due to the change in policy of the Asian giant, which is now working to cut its food dependence on abroad. "The Chinese market in terms of the meat sector has decreased by 26% in turnover and 30% in volume," he acknowledged.
Ramon Sentmartí: "The Chinese market in terms of the meat sector has decreased by 26% in turnover and 30% in volume"The pronounced drop in demand from China, which remains the primary destination for Catalan meats, has been partially offset by significant quota increases in other markets in the region such as Japan or the Philippines, where activity has grown by up to 50%. However, the decrease in exports to China has caused the entire Asia region to fall by 0.37% overall, to 2.6 billion euros. The reduction in this market, which accounts for 17.9% of total exports, contrasts with the strong increases experienced in markets with less weight such as North America (+28.4%) or Latin America (+39%).
According to data provided this Monday, the agri-food sector boosts overall Catalan exports. Proof of this is that one in every seven euros exported comes from agri-food exports (15.64%). Another notable element is that the agri-food trade surplus is maintained, which was achieved for the first time in 2019, reaching a coverage rate of 104.86% in 2022. Another remarkable element is that Catalonia has increased its exports at a faster rate than the average for Spain as a whole (+13.2%) and for the EU as a whole (+11.8%).
In total, food produced in Catalonia is exported to 198 countries. France remains the main recipient country, while Italy becomes the second destination, surpassing China, which is in third position followed by Germany, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Catalonia has 4.9% more regular exporting companies (those that accumulate at least 4 consecutive years of foreign sales), reaching 2,905 (+130 companies).