Exports grow 17% until April in Córdoba due to the push for olive oilJordi Otix
The companies of Cordova they haveexportedproducts to other countries worth 1,098 million euros until last April and this data represents a 17% growth compared to the same period last year. In this way, the olive oil It remains the second most demanded product by foreign countries and its record prices are one of the factors that motivate this result. The statistics released this Monday by ICEX Spain Export and Investment points out that the operations of this vegetable fat add 299 million so far this year, an amount that is 70% higher to the one registered in the first quarter of 2023.
Specifically, extra virgin olive oil is the province’s most exported product and the value of what was sold until April has almost doubled (+91%) reaching 193 million euros. The information indicates, in fact, that the food industry leads the increase in activity with a year-on-year increase of 37% which places the value of what was sold at 486 million euros.
However, the industrial products and technology They continue to account for half of exports, with 550 million euros and an increase of 7% in annual rate. On the opposite side, the Exports of consumer goods are down 9% compared to last year, reaching 59 million euros. The fall has been even stronger in the case of drinkswhose sales abroad decreased by 23% to 3 million euros recorded in the first four months.
Hitachi Energy transformer factory.
Towards a new high
In general terms, if we continue along this line 2024 could be a new milestone in the foreign trade cordoban, which has only experienced such strong growth in exports in 2022, when they rose 17% to reach a historical maximum of 3,010 million euros, and in 2021, when they rose 32% at the end of the covid pandemic. In this regard, it is worth remembering that in the olive oil sector they foresee a price drop, but it would not arrive until December, so its effects on exports would possibly be felt in 2025.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the products of Copper smelting continues to lead Cordoba foreign tradewith sales to other countries worth 305 million euros (6% more) until April.
The purchases
As for the imports of the productive fabric of the province, these have grown 19% annually until April, reaching 695 million. The copper semi-finished productswith 229 million euros (+ 8% annually), are the most in demand from Córdoba and at some distance comes olive oil, with imports worth 85 million euros, which has practically tripled last year’s (+180%).
He export value Cordoba grows, but the activity is developed by fewer companies. This is one of the conclusions of the latest information released by ICEX Spain Exportation and Investments, which indicates that the province had 978 exporting companies until last April and these are 14% less than in the same period last year. The statistics also indicate that 2023 ended with a total of 1,769 exporters and the maximum in recent years occurred in 2021, when 2,300 companies left for other countries. Since then, The number has gradually fallen, despite the historical record of exports recorded in 2022, which means that companies then expanded their sales abroad.
Italy It remains the main destination for Cordoba products, with operations worth 241 million euros (+80%) so far this year. Portugal It occupies second place, with 196 million, but in this case activity has decreased by 3% annually. In Franceexports have been around 122 million euros, unchanged compared to last year, and USA It occupies fourth place in the ranking of foreign markets, accounting for 115 million euros, 38% more annually.
