Exports rose in February by 2.1%, before Covid-19 crisis

Exports rose in Catalonia in February by 2.1% compared to 12 months before, reaching 5.97 billion euros, according to figures released by Spain's industry ministry on Tuesday. 

The sectors with the biggest share of exports were again chemicals (1.58 billion), accounting for more than a quarter of the total, and followed by capital goods (1.05 billion) and the automobile industry (866 million). 

International sales in Catalonia accounted for 24.9% of Spain's total in the second month of 2020. 

As for imports, they were worth 7.32 billion euros in February, a fall of 4.3% on last year, and they accounted for 28% of Spain's total. 

The figures reflect the situation of exports in the country right before the Covid-19 crisis began. 

In 2019, Catalonia had beaten its record in international sales for the ninth year in a row, with exports amounting to more than 73 billion euros, some 3% more than the previous year.

Despite February's favorable figures, however, all seems to indicate March's will not be as positive due to the effects of the public health crisis, especially when considering the Barcelona Port's 8% decrease in traffic last month as well as its 19% drop in TEUs.