Girona’s exports have grown by 21% during 2022, closing the year reaching a new historical record and exceeding 7.7 billion euros (MEUR). Above all, this increase can be explained by the good behavior recorded by two of the driving sectors of Girona’s economy. On the one hand, the agri-food industry (with meat at the head) and on the other, the chemical industry. Overall, these two sectors have taken up more than 60% of Girona’s exports (4,670 MEUR). In terms of destinations, where sales have risen the most is in nearby countries of the European Union (led by France). China is in fifth place, but the brake it applied to pork purchases is noticeable, because during the past year it ended up exporting less than in 2021.
Outer thrust and cruise speed. According to the data periodically made public by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Girona’s exports close another historic year. During 2022, foreign sales made by companies in the demarcation have increased by 21.2%. And in turn, this translates into a new sales record. Specifically, up to 7,785.5 MEUR.
Those sectors that have led the growth, as is usual, have been the agri-food industry (which has grown by 18.7% and reached 3,251.6 MEUR) and the chemical industry (which has grown by 19.7% , standing at 1,418.4 MEUR). Between them, they account for up to 60% of Girona’s total exports.
Of the annual statistics, the meat data stand out above all. Both by volume and by the weight of the sector in the external market of the demarcation.
Although during this year the cluster has been affected by the brake on the purchase of pork that China has applied, its firms close in 2022 touching the 2,000 MEUR in exports. Specifically, between January and December, Girona meats have exported carcasses and offal worth 1,943.75 MEUR (which represents more than 10% more compared to 2021, when they were 1,757.68 MEUR).
And if in the agri-food industry the relevant weight is held by meats, in the case of the chemist this is transferred to pharmaceuticals. According to the Ministry’s data, during the past year Girona companies in the sector exported a value of 537.8 MEUR. And in this case, if the figure is compared with that of 2021, the growth reaches up to 21.5% (because at that time, Girona’s pharmaceutical companies exported products worth 442.43 MEUR).
At the same time, the figures recorded by these two sectors are also transferred to the other one that is the driving force of Girona’s economy: that of machinery manufacturers. During 2022, their companies made exports worth 561.5 MEUR, growing slightly compared to the previous year (when they had been 549.94 MEUR).
In December, 30% more
Beyond the global figures for the year, the Ministry’s statistics also show how the foreign sector performed in December. In this case, Girona’s exports grew by 30%, standing at 635.5 MEUR.
In terms of percentages, the sector that was boosted the most was chemicals (which grew by 48.1% to EUR 115.5 million). And in terms of quantity, again, agri-food is the one that monopolized sales, exporting products worth 287.1 MEUR (31.2% more compared to December 2021).
France and the EU, in the lead
In terms of destinations, due to proximity, France continues to be the main foreign market for Girona products. During 2022, companies in the demarcation have made sales worth 1,915.44 MEUR. A figure that, compared to the previous year, exceeds by 21% the exports that had been made there (1,578.15 MEUR).
This market, although at a greater distance, is followed by Italy (597.64 MEUR), Germany (565.75 MEUR) and Portugal (515.42). Compared to 2021, all these markets have imported more products from Girona counties.
The same does not happen, however, with the fifth destination: China. Because, in this case, the brake he applied to the purchase of pork, and the restrictions at the borders, have resulted in a decrease in the products – especially meat – that arrived there from the companies of the demarcation . In total, 471 MEUR was exported last year, 27.5% less compared to 2021 (650.42 MEUR).
Behind the Asian giant, in sixth place, is the United Kingdom. And here, the annual data allows you to see how, despite ‘Brexit’, Girona’s exports have remained. Even growing slightly (because if in 2021 products worth 200.7 MEUR were sold, last year the figure was 227.37 MEUR).