Spanish exports, the great forgotten sector that accounts for 35% of our country's GDP.

The Role of Exports in Spain's Economic Landscape

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Positive Impact of Exports on Spanish GDP Since 2008

‍Amid the economic crisis of 2008, Spain's foreign sector emerged as a positive contributor to its GDP. This shift was attributed to a surge in exports coupled with a decline in imports. Since 2009, Spanish exports of goods and services have surged by 23.4%, outpacing the European average. This growth has significantly bolstered Spain's GDP, with their share in the economy climbing from 26% pre-crisis to 32.2% in 2012.

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Resilience and Growth Amidst Challenges

‍The resilience of Spain's export sector was evident in 2016, with Spanish exports registering a 2.3% growth even as global exports contracted by around 6%. This momentum continued until 2019 when the pandemic-induced crisis disrupted international activity, triggering a global economic recession.

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A Strong Rebound in 2021

‍Despite challenges, Spain's foreign trade rebounded in 2021, reaching historic highs exceeding €316 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Various sectors played a pivotal role in this recovery, particularly chemicals, semi-manufacturing, energy products, and capital goods. Notably, the European continent witnessed swift export recovery, alongside notable increases in trade with Latin America (26.1%) and North America (19.5%).

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A Growing Export Base

‍Spain's export base expanded significantly, with the number of regular exporters growing by 7% to surpass 59,000 in 2021. Impressively, this growth trend has persisted over the past decade, attesting to the sector's solid and expanding foundation. Notably, companies managed not only to retain their client portfolios during the pandemic but also augment them.

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The Catalytic Role of the Foreign Sector

‍While exports alone may not singularly drive economic growth, the Secretary of State for Trade, Xiana Méndez, highlights the foreign sector's pivotal role in Spain's post-pandemic economic revival. In 2021, Spanish exports of goods and services relative to GDP increased by four percentage points, reaching 34.6%, akin to pre-pandemic levels.

In summation, the impact of exports on Spain's GDP is undeniable, evident through decades of economic fluctuations and challenges. As Spain navigates the dynamic global economic landscape, its robust export sector stands as a steadfast driver of economic recovery and growth.