Catalan exports grew by 9% in May

Exports from Catalonia reached 6.83 billion euros in May, a 9% increase compared to the same month last year, according to Spain's industry, trade, and tourism ministry.

When compared to April, the rise in exports was 6.2%, with chemical products top of the ranking, accounting for 27% of all exports.

Capital goods came next, accounting for 18% of all exports, followed by food, drinks and tobacco (13%), and then consumer goods (11%).

As for imports into Catalonia in the same period, they grew by 5% compared to May 2018, to a total of 8.28 billion euros.

Between January and May, exports rose by 2.6%, to 31.25 billion euros, with imports increasing 5%, to 39.73 billion euros, leaving a trade deficit of 8.48 billion euros.

65% of sales to EU countries

In that time, 65% of exports went to EU countries, with a rise in sales to France (5.3%), Italy (5.2%) and the UK (4,2%), but with a fall in sales to Germany (-10%) and Portugal (-1.2%).

Outside the EU, exports grew by 4%, making up 34.8% of all foreign sales, with notable rises in sales to Nigeria (100.7%), Indonesia (33.5%), Singapore (26.6%) and Mexico (25.7%).

However, exports to a number of other countries fell in the same period, principally Australia (-21.6%), Argentina (-17.9%) and Saudi Arabia (-10.6%).

As for the four main regions of Catalonia, exports in May grew in Barcelona (1.6%), Girona (6%) and Tarragona (9.6%), but fell in Lleida (-6.6%).