The exports of Castilla-La Mancha in January and March 2022 reached the figure of 2,328 million euros, which represents an increase of 19.6% compared to 2021. Agri-food products occupied the first position of regional exports, registering a 2% increase over the same period last year. Although the sales of beverages, meat and oil fell and those of fruits, vegetables and legumes, dairy products and eggs increased.

At the national level, exports increased by 23.9%, reaching 89,611 million euros, according to the latest report prepared by this Territorial Directorate of Trade-ICEX.

By provinces, in this period of time Guadalajara occupied the first position, with 647 million euros of exports (46.2%); followed by Ciudad Real, with 574 million (8.9%).

Toledo is the third exporting province, with 572 million (13.1%), followed by the provinces of Albacete with 339 million (14.6%), and Cuenca, with 196 million euros, which registers an increase in the export of 11.9%.

For its part, imports from the region reached 3,150 million euros, which represents an increase of 31.9%, while in Spain they rose 39.0% to 105,028 million.

By importing provinces, Guadalajara is in first place, with an increase of 29.6%, followed by Toledo (33.3%), Albacete (43.1%), Ciudad Real (31.6%), and Cuenca ( 34.1%).

The trade balance of the region from January to March 2022 stood, therefore, at -822 million euros, a deficit that increased by 442% compared to the same month of the previous year; while the coverage rate (Xs/Ms) stood at 73.9%, still clearly below the national average (85.3%).

From January to March of this year, agri-food products occupied the first position of regional exports with 692 million euros, representing 29.7% of the total exported by Castilla-La Mancha and registering an increase of 2% compared to the same period of 2021.

The sector is led by Beverages with 194 million euros, whose sales decreased by 9.9%. The Cold Cuts sector is in second place with 138 million, registering a decrease of 3.7%. By contrast, Fruits, vegetables and legumes rose by 11.2% (114 million euros).

Dairy and egg exports rose by 10.3% (84 million euros), and those of oil reached 68 million with a decrease of 6.8%.

Next comes capital goods with 598 million and an increase of 19.0% (mainly electrical appliances, telecommunications equipment and machinery), while in third and fourth place are Chemical Products (54.8 %) and non-chemical semi-manufactures (53.5%), with 334 and 297 million, respectively.

In this period, consumer manufactures rose by 33.5%, reaching 249 million euros.

Capital Goods stand out from the rest (984 million euros), with an increase of 22.2%, highlighting office and telecommunications equipment with 413 million euros (21.2%).

The second importing sector is Food and Drinks with 524 million euros (49.6%), while the third place is occupied by Chemical Products with a value of 514 million, which in this period have increased by 9.1%.

Between January and May 2022, the EU accounted for the bulk of Castilla-La Mancha's exports, representing 72.3% of the total.

In the Euro zone, Portugal is the main client in the region with 488 million euros (35.6%), followed by France with 396 million (18.9%), Italy with 211 million (22.1%) and Germany. with 208 million (27.0%).

On the other hand, outside the EU, exports to the United Kingdom stood at 95 million, with an increase of 34.4%, to Turkey they were 55 million (31.1%) and to Russia 10 million (-37.9 %).

Outside the closest environment, exports to the United States (65 million, -7.7%), Canada (9 million, 1.8%), Mexico (27 million, 40.8%), Chile (8 million, 39%), Brazil (6 million, -22%), and Argentina (5 million, 72.2%).

On the other hand, Morocco (43 million, 11%), Algeria (6 million, -28.8%) and the Middle East (62 million, -7.1%) stand out.

In Asia, China stands out with 48 million euros (-38.6%) and Japan (24 million, 29.9%), while South Korea reaches 15 million (75.7%).

As far as imports, 70% have community origin (Germany and France, mainly).

Outside the EU, 10.8% from the main non-EU supplier, China, stands out, with 341 million, which rose by 21.9% compared to the same period of the previous year.