Exports from Andalusia experienced strong growth in latest figures of March, up 22% compared to the same month in 2020, reaching 3,203 million euros, its the second-best figure for this month since comparable data has been available (1995). This is the highest monthly growth recorded by exports since April 2018 (22.1%), which, moreover, is 7.7 points higher than the drop recorded by sales in March 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic (-14.3%), which places the Andalusian foreign sector on the path of reactivation, with a year-on-year growth of 1% in the first quarter of 2021.
With imports of 2,639 million, which also grew by 13.11%, the month of March left the Andalusian trade balance with a surplus of 564 million. This positive external balance contrasts with the deficit of 412 million for Spain as a whole.
There has been a strong reactivation of sales of raw or processed industrial materials due to growing international demand and the sharp rise in prices. On the other hand, the agri-food sector continues its upward trend, greatly favoured by the upturn in olive oil, which returns to growth and reinforces Andalusia’s leadership in the export of food and beverages.
In March 2021, Andalusian exports to all geographical areas grew, rising sharply in its top ten markets, both in Europe and in America and Africa, with double-digit or more increases.
Of particular note is the advance in Belgium, which has become the fastest-growing destination in the top 10, tripling its sales to 219 million (+215%), due to the rise in the chapter of aircraft and spacecraft, which multiplied its sales by 102 to 132 million, placing the country as Andalusia’s fifth market, with 6.8% of exports.
