BARCELONA: During the third quarter of 2015 Catalan exports reached a 5% historic growth. Between July and September, sales abroad were worth more than 15,500 million euros and increased by 5% over the same period last year, according to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. During the first nine months of the year, the amount of sales abroad by Catalan companies was 47,567 million euros, 6.29% more than in the same period last year.
The sector which grew the most from January to September was the automobile industry, increasing by 16% in comparison to the first nine months of 2014. In terms of amount of sales, the chemical sector topped the ranking, reaching 12,662 million euros and increasing by 6.1% compared to the same period last year. Capital goods came second and were worth 8,015 million euros.
Regarding the figures registered in September, Catalan exports during this month were worth 5,609.7 million euros, 6.46% higher than in the same month last year and the best month in the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness’ historical data series, which began in 2000.
From January to September, the sector which grew the most in terms of exports and in comparison to the same period last year was the automobile industry, which increased by 16% and reached 7,784.6 million euros.
However, in terms of total amount, the leading sector was the chemical sector, which reached 12,662 million euros and increased by 6.29%, followed by capital goods, which grew by 2.9% compared to the first nine months of 2014 and were worth 8,015 million euros. In Spain as a whole, exports during the first nine months of the year also set a new record, growing by 4.4%.
