Exports to US jump 13.7% while overall sales stagnate

Catalan exports stagnated in February compared to the same month last year, totaling €8.33 billion, just 0.1% more than in 2024.

According to data published on Tuesday by Spain's economy ministry, the general slowdown contrasts sharply with sales to the United States, which rose 13.7% year-on-year to €342.4 million, ahead of the implementation of Trump's tariffs.

Catalonia remained the top autonomous community for exports, accounting for 26.3% of Spain's total foreign sales.

Leading export sectors included chemicals (+6.1%), capital goods (+8.4%), and food and beverages (+5.9%).

Total Spanish exports increased by 0.4% in February to €31.97 billion.

Imports rise

In Catalonia, imports rose to €9.23 billion in February, marking a 5% year-on-year increase. Catalonia therefore recorded a trade deficit of €897.1 million, up from €466.8 million in February 2024.

For the year to date, namely January and February, Catalan exports rose 1.6% to €16.25 billion, while imports increased 6.5% to €18.56 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of €2.31 billion, compared to €1.44 billion in the same period in 2024.

For Spain as a whole, imports rose 3.5% in February to €35.4 billion. In the first two months of the year, Spanish exports fell by 0.4% to €61.74 billion, while imports rose 4.9% to €71.37 billion, pushing the trade deficit to €9.62 billion, up from €6.08 billion a year earlier.

Sales to Europe fall, US exports surge

By region, Catalan exports to the European Union fell 4.6% in February to €5.07 billion, with notable declines in exports to France (-11.3%) and Germany (-8.5%). The eurozone remains Catalonia's main export destination.

The drop in sales to the EU was offset by rising sales to the Americas (+16.6% to €918 million), led by exports to the US (+13.7% to €342.4 million).

Sales to Asia (+15.5% to €775.7 million) and Africa (+28% to €412.3 million) also increased.

For the year to date (January and February), chemicals remained the top export (€5.13 billion, +4.6%), followed by capital goods (€2.63 billion, +11.9%) and food, beverages, and tobacco (€2.50 billion, +6.6%).