Spanish food and seafood exports are record: 43,700 million euros

The monthly report of foreign trade registered a 7.3% increase in sales to the agricultural, fishing, food and forestry abroad during the period December 2014 to November 2015. The value of imports was 33,793,000, representing an 8% annual growth. The balance stood at 9.965 million euros, an improvement of 5.2% over the previous period.

With regard to agriculture and transformed fishing, he has achieved in the last twelve months exports worth of 25.294 million euros and imports of 19.285 million euros, giving a surplus of 6,009 million euros, representing an increase 4.7%. Of this increase include the increase in exports of 11.8% transformed into fisheries.

As of November 2015, exports of food and fisheries sector reached 3.782 million euros, an increase of 5.8% over the same month last year. Meanwhile, imports are accounted for 2,960 million euros, leaving a balance of 823 million was generated.

Analysis by subsectors

In the analysis by subsector in November 2015 compared to November 2014, the food not changed is the largest positive contributor to the increase in exports, an improvement of 12.5%, mainly due to the export of citrus (tangerines oranges), nuts and vegetables like peppers, lettuce and cucumbers.

Within the food subsector transformed the most exported products were like every month, wine, pork and olive oil, although the latter has decreased the value by 21.4%.

For its part, the whole food fisheries subsector, which includes the non-transformed and the transformed, while maintaining its negative balance has increased its exports by 9.1%. Imports totaled 516 million euros, reaching a monthly balance of -245 000 000, 1.3% worsening the trade balance in November 2014 regarding subsector.

Country analysis

In the EU-28, exports have increased in value by 4.3%, but the share representing over total exports has dropped to 74.7% from 75.7% in the same month last year.
Intra-EU imports have increased in value by 2.5%, also observed the share decline from 59.2% to 53% today.

The agri-food trade with third countries has increased this month, exports have done 10.3%, representing 25.3% of total exports, representing an increase of 4% share over the same month last year.
Stand strong increases in exports to China (53.8%), Japan (52.1%) and Saudi Arabia (73.6%); exports to the US They are maintained with a slight increase of 1% and continue placing the country as the main non-EU destination.

Analysis by product

In the group of meat balance, as of November 2015, improved by 5.6% compared to November 2014 due to increased exports to both the EU-28 28 (1.6%) and Third Countries (22 , 5%), despite the drop in the average export price by 4.5% to € 2.12 / kg. Pigmeat increased both in volume (15.3%) and value (5.8%).

The balance of the group of fish has worsened by 2.4% over the previous year as a result of increased imports by 4.6%, especially shrimps and prawns.

The vegetable group, has increased its exports by 9.6% compared to November 2014, both the EU (8.3%) and third countries (31.8%). Notable increase in lettuce (12.2%) and peppers (19.4%).

In the fruit group, compared with November 2014, the trade balance increased by 6.2% to 525 M €, mainly due to the increase in the value of exports by 12.1% and despite the increase in imports 28.5%. The products that have increased their exports were almonds (24%) and citrus fruits (9.1%).

In the grain group, despite the increase in value of exports by 19.4%, the balance has deteriorated by 15%, due to the sharp increase in imports from third countries 372%, especially corn.

Although the group’s exports of oilseeds, industrial plants and fodder increased by almost 30% (by increasing exports of fodder of 26%), the final balance remains negative (-150M €) mainly due to 83% increase in imports from third countries of products such as soybeans.

Within the group of oils and fats, a worsening of the balance of 49% compared to November 2014, due to lower than 20% of exports and 27% increase in imports (especially from third countries) is observed . Subgroup, olive oil is responsible for this development due to the decrease of 21.4% of the value of its exports and increase of 145% of its imports.

The balance of the beverage group increased by 15% compared to November 2014, mainly due to increased exports by 9.5%. In particular, the wine has increased its exports by 9% despite the decline in the average export price by 3.1%, and spirits exports have increased 4.7%.

Source: MAGRAMA