Catalan exports reach €100.1bn in 2024, falling just short of record high

Catalan exports totaled €100.1 billion in 2024, down 0.5% from the record high reached the previous year. 

It represents the second-highest figure in history and the second consecutive year in which Catalonia's exports surpassed the €100 billion threshold. 

According to data from Spain's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Business, key export sectors included chemicals (€30.57bn), capital goods (€15.25bn), and food products (€15.14bn). 

The value of imports rose to €110.75bn (+0.7%), resulting in a trade deficit of €10.62bn for the year, an increase compared to the 2023 deficit of €9.31bn. 

Catalonia leads the way 

Looking at Spanish experts on the whole, Catalonia leads the way, accounting for 26% of the overall total. This share is significantly higher than the Community of Madrid, which ranks second with €48.83 billion, or 12.7% of the total. 

By sector, sales of chemical products from Catalonia rose by 3.3%, capital goods sales fell by 2.9% and food products sales grew by 2.7%.  

Barcelona was the only Catalan region to see a decline compared to the previous year (-2%), with exports valued at €77.04 billion. Tarragona exported goods worth €11.56 billion (+5%), Girona €8.34 billion (+2.6%), and Lleida €3.2 billion (+9.4%). 

Spanish exports 

Spanish exports totaled €384.47 billion in 2024 (+2.7% annual growth), the second-highest figure on record. 

According to the ministry, the figures show the "robustness" and "openness" of the export sector in a "complex" international context. 

The food industry stood out, reaching historic highs with sales of over €18.04 billion, as well as the automotive sector and non-chemical semi-manufactured goods.  

The ministry highlighted that the number of exporting companies continued to grow in the past year, with over 45,931 companies regularly selling abroad. These are companies that exported more than €1,000 in the last four years. 

Spanish imports increased to €424.74 billion, meaning that 2024 closed with a trade deficit of €40.28 billion, 0.7% lower than the previous year (-€40.56 billion). 

December results 

Catalan exports in December alone totaled €7.66 billion, 13.3% more than December 2023. 

However, it represents a decline compared to November (€8.63 billion), marking two consecutive months of decreases. 

The downward trend comes in an international context shaped by the potential impact of the tariff measures announced by the Trump administration in the US. 

Exports primarily went to the European Union (€4.17 billion), with France (€1.13 billion) and Germany (€654 million) leading the way. 

The value of exports the Americas rose to €1.18 billion, led by the United States (€387.1 million). 

Notably, sales to the US in December soared by 48.2% compared to 2023. 

Imports in December totaled €8.37 billion, an 8.64% increase year-on-year. 

Goods primarily came from the EU (€4.48 billion) and Asia (€2.32 billion), with China at the forefront (€1.28 billion).