Catalan exports rise 26.9% in May, to 8.611 billion

Catalan exports rose by 26.9% in May compared to the same month last year, reaching 8,611.6 million euros, according to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. Foreign sales accounted for 24.6% of the total for Spain, where exports increased by 28.8%, to 35,045.1 million euros, and by 31.3% compared to the same month in 2019.

If the same month of 2019, the last year before the pandemic, is taken into account, Catalan foreign sales rose by 25.9%, as they then stood at 6,783.5 million euros. Meanwhile, imports in Catalonia during May totaled 9,934.3 million, which is 34.4% more than in May 2021, and represent 25% of the total for Spain.

The most exporting sectors in Catalonia were once again chemical products, capital goods, and food, beverages, and tobacco. Sales of chemical products rose by 41.6%, to 2,774.1 million euros, which is equivalent to 32.2% of the total for all of Catalonia. Capital goods added foreign sales worth 1,406 million euros, 24.1% more and 16.3% of the total in Catalonia, reports ACN. Finally, food, beverages, and tobacco totaled 1,254.8 million euros, 19.4% more and 14.6% of the total. Thus, these three sectors together accounted for 63.1 percent of total exports.

The regions of Barcelona accounted for the majority of foreign sales in Catalonia, with 6,729.9 million euros. This is 27.4% more than a year ago and 19.2% of the total for Spain, according to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.