Catalan companies achieve record exports in first quarter of 2018

Catalan companies exported more goods in March than ever before in that month, reaching a value of sales of 6,715 million euros, 0.8% more than the same period last year. This acceleration of sales has meant that businesses sold more goods abroad in the first quarter of 2018 than the same period in any other year since records began in 2000.

The total value of products sold overseas was worth 18,236 million euros, 3.33% more than the first quarter last year, making it the best figure recorded over the last 18 years.

The most international sectors in the country  were, once again, the chemical sector, the car industry, and equipment goods companies.

This year’s record figures thus far have been attributed to the impact of Easter and the increase of the value of the euro against the dollar, which had a negative effect on American companies.

Catalan trade deficit grew 8.3% in the first quarter

In Catalonia, imports stood at 22,413 million euros in the first quarter, which represents 4.2% more than the first quarter of 2017. With these figures, the trade deficit, the difference between exports and imports, was 4,177 million euros, 8.3% more than the deficit registered in the same period of 2017.