Catalan exports reached an all-time high of €100.78 billion in 2025, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of global trade uncertainties and tariff conflicts. This marks the third consecutive year that the region’s foreign trade has surpassed the symbolic €100 billion threshold, registering a slight but significant 0.6% increase on the previous year.

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Figures published by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise confirm Catalonia‘s position as the primary engine of Spain’s export economy. Indeed, the region accounts for 26% of the country’s total export volume, well ahead of the Community of Madrid, which contributes 13.8%.

However, a more rapid increase in imports tempered the record-breaking export performance. Purchases from abroad grew by 3.3% to €114.36 billion, consequently widening Catalonia’s trade deficit to €13.58 billion for the year, up from €10.62 billion in 2024.

Pivoting East Amidst US-China Tensions

The achievement is particularly notable given the challenging international backdrop, characterised by increased protectionism and the trade dispute initiated by the United States. Despite this climate, Catalan companies have shown a significant capacity to adapt and diversify their markets.

Exports to the US fell by 3.4% in 2025, a direct consequence of the ongoing tariff pressures. To counteract this, businesses have successfully reoriented their strategies towards Asia. According to data analysed by ACCIÓ, the Catalan government’s agency for business competitiveness, exports to South Korea surged by 25.2%, while sales to China grew by 13.7% and those to India by 4.4%. This strategic pivot resulted in overall export growth to Asia (+7.6%), Africa (+12.5%), and the Middle East (+15.3%).

The chemical sector remains the largest contributor to Catalan exports, with sales of €29.73 billion, representing 29.5% of the total. Capital goods followed, seeing a robust 9.7% increase to €16.73 billion, while the food, beverages, and tobacco sector grew by 7% to €16.20 billion.

A ‘Robust’ Business Fabric

Miquel Sàmper, the Minister of Business and Labour for the Generalitat de Catalunya, praised the results. He stated that in the current geopolitical context, Catalonia setting another export record demonstrates “the international robustness of our business fabric and highlights its ability to continue opening doors when others are closing.”

“These results demonstrate the resilience and diversification capacity of Catalan companies in an adverse, uncertain, and complex global environment,” Sàmper added, as reported by Ara.

The Catalan government has actively supported this internationalisation drive through its ACCIÓ network. The agency’s 40 foreign trade and investment offices worldwide managed nearly 3,000 internationalisation projects for Catalan firms in 2025, a 17% increase on the previous year.

Looking ahead, the government has designed a new ‘Internationalisation Strategy for the Catalan Economy 2026-2030’. Its ambitious targets include adding 2,000 new exporting companies, reaching a total of 19,000 regular exporters, and increasing the number of Catalan firms with foreign subsidiaries to 3,500.

National Context

At the national level, the Spanish economy also saw goods exports grow, albeit at a slightly higher rate of 0.7%, reaching €387.09 billion – the second-best figure on record. However, reports from La Vanguardia note that Spain’s overall trade deficit surged by 41.6% to €57.05 billion, driven by a sharp rise in imports fuelled by domestic demand.

The trade balance with key partners highlights global imbalances. Spain’s trade deficit with the US grew by 34% to €13.46 billion, while the deficit with China expanded by 12% to €42.3 billion, as Chinese imports to Europe surged as an alternative to US markets.