Catalan high-tech exports surge 24.5% in second quarter

According to data published in September by the Statistical Institute of Catalonia (Idescat), exports of high-tech products recorded a sharp increase, reaching a total value of €3.53 billion, up 24.5% year-on-year and now making up 14.2% of all Catalan industrial exports. It is worth noting that growth was recorded for all product in this segment.

Among the exported goods, pharmaceutical products showed exceptional performance, maintaining a strong share within the group and growing 23.2%, followed by computer, electronic and optical products with even higher growth (+26.6%). From a geographic standpoint, exports to non-EU markets soared by 48.2%, while sales to the European Union grew at a more moderate pace of 4.2%.

This vibrant growth contrasts with the decline in exports of medium-high (-5.8%) and medium-low (-6.6%) technology products, clearly indicating that high value-added exports are becoming a key driver of Catalonia’s trade balance and that the commitment to sectors that are more knowledge and innovation intensive is yielding fruit. In short, these results show a structural transformation in the Catalan productive fabric. Despite the downturn, exports of medium-high technology products still totalled €11.69 billion in the second quarter of 2025.

As highlighted, the growth in high-tech exports is primarily driven by increased demand in markets outside the European Union, with intra-EU sales, although positive, showing more modest growth. This diversification of high-tech exports towards international markets significantly reduces Catalonia’s economic dependence on its European surroundings and opens up new, broader horizons for growth.