Seville, (EFE).- Andalusian exports maintain their dynamism and in the first quarter of the year have reached a record high, with 10,379 million and an increase of 1.8% year-on-year, although imports increased by 2.1%, which yields a deficit in the trade balance of 362 million.
Foreign sales of Andalusia are driven by the good data for March, with 3,964 million, a figure never before reached this month, with a year-on-year rise of 1.9%, reported in a statement TRADE, the Public Business Agency for the Transformation and Economic Development of Andalusia.
Imports reached 10,742 million during the first three months of the year, 2.1% more, with which the coverage rate stands at 96.6%, only 3.4 points from the trade balance, to 3.6 trade balance points and 2.6 points above Spain (94%).
The increase in the Andalusian international bill is due to the increases registered by industrial chapters, such as copper, chemicals and the automotive sector, to which is added the agri-food sector, in which the advance of vegetables stands out, which remains the leading sales chapter in Andalusia at the beginning of the year, ahead of fuels and olive oil.
Sales of the Andalusian foreign sector in January and March registered significant growth in four of its first five international markets, gaining presence in its first non-European destination, the United States, which climbed one position in the ranking, being the fourth world destination, with a growth of 26.2%, up to 836 million euros, 8.1% of the total.
Portugal advances as third destination
Portugal also stands out, with the highest growth of 26.3%, ranking as the third destination in Andalusia, with a bill of 938 million, 9% of the total; France, second in sales with the third highest increase, from 21.9% to 1,164 million, 11.2% of the total; Germany, with 1,242 million (12%), which rises 11.5% and occupies the first position and the United Kingdom, with 619 million, 6%, and an increase in sales of 2.1%.
In the first quarter of 2023, sales grew in six Andalusian provinces, and five of them reached record figures.
The greatest increase corresponds to Malaga, 27.1% more to reach historical sales of 819 million, 7.9% of the Andalusian total, followed by Seville, with an increase of 9.7%, being the fourth by value of exports, with 1,871 million, 18% of the total.
Huelva leads the Andalusian ranking in foreign turnover, with a record of 2,121 million, 20.4% of the total and a growth of 2.8%, followed by Cádiz in the value of sales, with 2,069 million, 19.9 % of the total, despite a decrease of 16.2 % compared to the same period of the previous year. EFE