Catalan exports set a new record in 2015, reaching €64 billion
Catalonia sold abroad some €63,839 million worth of goods and services in 2015, setting a new record. This figure represents a 6.1% increase in comparison to the level of exports registered in 2014, according to information released by the Spanish Ministry for the Economy and Competitiveness. Imports into Catalonia reached €76 billion in 2015, which represents a 5.8% increase on figures from the same period in 2014. This means that Catalonia's trade balance registered a deficit of €12.1985 billion, a 4% reduction on the deficit for 2014. Catalonia continues to lead the exports ranking in Spain and accounts for 25.5% of all Spanish goods and services sold abroad, followed by the Valencian Community (11.4%) and Madrid (11.3%).The chemical sector was the sector which contributed the most to Catalonia's exports, representing 27% of the total for 2015 and reaching €8,497.5 million.
Barcelona (CNA).- Catalan companies sold abroad some €63,839 million worth of goods and services in 2015, which represents a 6.1% increase on 2014’s figures. This is the highest amount ever achieved in Catalonia. According to information released by the Spanish Ministry for the Economy and Competitiveness, Catalonia continues to lead the exports ranking in Spain and accounts for 25.5% of all Spanish goods and services sold abroad, followed by the Valencian Community (11.4%) and Madrid (11.3%). Imports from Catalonia reached €76 billion in 2015, which represents a 5.8% increase on figures from the same period in 2014. This means that Catalonia's trade balance registered a deficit of €12.1985 billion, a 4% reduction on the deficit for 2014. Indeed, 2015 was an outstanding year for Catalan exports. Almost month after month Catalonia's records regarding sales abroad were broken and the Catalan economy has seen exports rocket during the last 3 years.
Chemical sector continues to lead Catalan exports
The chemical sector was the sector which contributed the most to Catalonia's exports, representing 27% of the total for 2015 and reaching €8,497.5 million. The export of capital goods grew by 4.8% compared to 2014 and represented 18% of total international sales. However, the sector which grew the most last year was the automotive sector, which registered a 13% increase in 2015, representing 16% of total Catalan exports.
Reduction in the trade balance deficit
Exports grew more than imports, which registered a 5.8% increase in 2015. Imports from Catalonia reached €76 billion in 2015, which represents a 5.8% increase on figures from the same period in 2014. This means that Catalonia's trade balance registered a deficit of €12.1985 billion, a 4% reduction on the deficit for 2014. Catalonia accounted for nearly 28% of total imports into Spain, 6% more than in 2014.
Spanish exports also broke records
In the whole of Spain, exports have also broken all records and reached €250 billion, which represent a 4.3% increase in comparison to 2014. Imports into Spain grew by 3.7% in 2015 and totalled €274.4 billion. Thus, the trade balance registered a deficit of €24 billion, 1.2% lower than in 2014 and the second-lowest registered since 1998, only surpassed by 2013.
In 2015, exports to the EU represented 64.8% of the total, 6.4% more than the previous year. Both sales to the Eurozone (50.4%) and to the rest of the EU (14.3%) increased in 2015. The former grew by 5.4% and the latter registered a 10% increase in comparison to 2014.
Beyond the EU, the exports which grew the most were the international sales to Saudi Arabia (+36%), Chile (+23.9%) and Mexico (+21.6%).