Spain is currently the UK’s 7th most important trading partner. In an average year, the UK will purchase £31,302 million of goods from Spain and export a further £16,115 million to Spanish markets. For a British import/export specialist, Spain presents an attractive proposition, being easy to reach by road, sea and air from the UK. But before embarking on any new venture, it’s worth taking the time to do a little research.
So, let’s take a look at what Spain trades with the wider world.
What do you need to know about trading with Spain?
Like most other countries this year, Spain’s economy has suffered a major contraction, thanks to Covid-19. This represents the potential for improved deals for exporters. And there are plenty of areas to explore. The country is known as Europe’s second largest producer of pork (after Germany). Corners the market on Spanish guitars (funnily enough!). And Spain produces almost half (48%) of the world’s supply of olive oil every year.
So, what areas could you be looking at when considering exporting goods from Spain?
Spain’s most important exports
In 2019, the main exports of Spain were:
- Vehicles made up 16.8% of Spain’s total exports, bringing in a value of US$55.9 billion
- Generating $24.7 billion, machinery was Spain’s second most important export of 2019 (7.4%)
- Mineral fuels including oil made up 7.1% of exports ($23.8 billion)
- Next on the list comes electrical machinery and equipment, accounting for $18.5 billion (5.6%)
- With a value of $13 billion (3.9%), pharmaceuticals constitute Spain’s fifth greatest export
- Plastics and plastic articles: $12.6 billion (3.8%)
- Fruits and nuts: $10.3 billion (3.1%)
- Clothing and accessories excluding knit and crochet goods $8.9 billion (2.7%)
- Meat exports generated $8.2 billion (2.5%)
- And lastly, iron and steel accounted for 2.4% of Spain’s exports in 2019. generating: $8 billion
These ten areas represented more than half (55.1%) of Spain’s global exports in 2019.
The country’s most important trading partners are considered to be France (taking 15.3% of Spain’s total exports), Germany (10.8%), Italy (7.8%), Portugal (7.4%) and the UK (6.9%).
How to export goods from Spain with Plexus Freight
Plexus Freight operates throughout the Spanish Peninsula, with routes covering Barcelona and the North East; Bilbao and Northern Spain; Castellon, Gijon and North West Spain; Madrid and Central Spain; Seville, Malaga and The South; and Valencia and The East. We provide a full range of services throughout these areas, including groupage, sea freight, express freight and both full and part loads.
If you’re looking for a reliable freight forwarder to take care of your cargo requirements between Spain, the UK or other destinations, contact Plexus Freight for quote today.
