Catalan exports increase 14.8% on last year's figures to €7 bn in July

Catalonia's exports increased by 14.8% in July compared to the same month in 2020, totaling slightly over 7 billion euros.

These favorable figures for the Catalan economy are also evident in terms of international sales over the first seven months of 2021: 46.697 billion euros, that is, 26% more than the same period a year prior.

The chemical sector made 2.167 billion euros in sales abroad in July, 19.6% more, followed by equipment goods: 1.168 billion euros, 22.5% more than July 2020. 

Most of Catalonia's exported goods are sold abroad by companies in Barcelona. In July, Barcelona-based firms sold 14% more in goods totaling 5.37 billion euros in goods, while those in Tarragona earned 807.2 million euros in international sales (37.8% more), companies in Girona made 560 million euros (1.2% more), and those in Lleida sold 274.6 million euros worth of goods (7.5% more). 

According to the latest Spanish Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism report, published on Monday, Catalonia's international sales account for 26.4% of all of Spain's exports in July.

In Spain as a whole, exports grew by 13.6% in July on last year's figures to 26.567 billion euros, while they rose by 21.7% over the first seven months of the year to 179.528 billion euros. 

Meanwhile, foreign investment in Catalonia rose by 3.8% over the first semester of 2021 to 1.317 billion euros.

These favorable exports and foreign investment figures are "clear signs of recovery," says business and competitiveness secretary Albert Castellanos, who highlights what he describes as the "resilience" of Catalonia's businesses.