Catalan exports increase by over 10% in January and February compared to 2011
Catalonia’s exports during last January and February had a total value of €9.24 billion. Catalan imports increased by 0.24% in the same period and have, registering in those two months a total value of €11.22 billion. The European Union received 64.28% of Catalonia’s exports. However, exports to markets such as Switzerland and Russia increased by 69% and 40% respectively.
Barcelona (CNA).- Catalan exports during January and February of this year had a total value of €9.236 billion. This represents an increase of 10.32% in comparison with the exports registered in the same period of 2011, according to the Spanish Ministry of Economy. Catalan imports have also increased by 0.24% in comparison to the same period and have registered a total value of €11,221 million.
The exporting sectors that have experienced the greatest increases during the first two months of 2012 have been chemical products (6.08%), capital goods (7.23%) and automobiles (12.69%). In general terms these are also the main exporting sectors and together represent more than half of Catalan exports. Looking at the imports side of the balance of payments, the more dynamic sector has been that of automobiles, which has increased by 17.01% and represents 10.55% of total.
Great increase of exports in non-EU European countries
The most important markets for Catalonia are the countries of the European Union, which receive 64.28% of the total exports. Among them, a special role is held by France and Germany, which import 19.27% and 12.02% of Catalonia’s exports respectively. However, the best results have been given by exports to non-EU European countries such as Switzerland, with an increase of 69.08%, and Russia (39.73%). Exports outside Europe have also increased by 24.12%, especially in African, South American and Oceania countries.