Catalan exports up 5.6% in April, breaking five consecutive months of decline

Catalan exports increased by 5.6% in April compared to the same month last year, reaching €8.5 billion, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business. 

The increase breaks a series of five consecutive months of decline. However, the cumulative exports from the first quarter, still shows a decline of 5.6% compared to the same period last year.  

In April, Catalan exports accounted for 25% of the total for Spain, where they increased by 15.8%, reaching €33.9 billion.  

As for imports in Catalonia, they increased by 18.3%, reaching €10.4 billion, accounting for 26.9% of the Spanish total. 

The most important export sectors in Catalonia in April were chemicals, with €2.4 billion, an increase of 1.9% over the same month last year; followed by capital goods, with €1.3 billion, up 0.9%; and the automotive sector, with €1.30 billion, up 9.8%.  

However, these same sectors experienced declines in the first quarter of the year compared to last year.