Andalucia has recorded its strongest-ever export performance for the first four months of a year, selling €15.14 billion worth of goods overseas between January and April 2026.

The figure represents a 3.5% increase on the same period last year and outpaces Spain’s national export growth rate of 2%, according to new data released by the junta’s trade ministry.

The region remains Spain’s third-largest exporting economy, accounting for 11.6% of all Spanish exports.

One of the standout findings is that Andalucia remains the only region among Spain’s three largest exporting economies to maintain a trade surplus.

The region recorded a positive trade balance of €1.61 billion and a coverage ratio of 112%, meaning exports exceeded imports.

By contrast, Spain as a whole registered a trade deficit of €16.85 billion.

Aerospace exports almost double

The biggest growth story came from Andalucia’s aerospace industry.

Exports of aircraft and aircraft components surged by 96% year-on-year to reach €974 million, making aerospace the fifth-largest export category in the region.

The figures underline the growing importance of Andalucia’s aviation sector, which is heavily concentrated around Sevilla and Cadiz.

Vegetables remain king

Despite aerospace’s remarkable growth, vegetables continue to dominate Andalucia’s export economy.

Exports of vegetables reached a record €2.06 billion during the first four months of the year, representing 13.6% of all overseas sales and increasing by 20.1% compared with 2025.

Olive oil remained another key export, generating €1.18 billion in sales abroad.

Interestingly, while the value of olive oil exports fell by 6.6%, export volumes actually increased by 1.9% to nearly 276,000 tonnes, suggesting lower prices are beginning to ease after recent record highs.

Fruit exports totalled €1.48 billion despite a slight decline of 3.1%.

China emerges as fastest-growing market

China recorded the strongest growth among Andalucia’s top export destinations.

Sales to the Asian giant jumped by 58% to €727 million, making it Andalucía’s eighth-largest export market.

Meanwhile, the region’s biggest European trading partners all posted strong double-digit growth:

• Germany: €2.12 billion (+25.9%)
• Italy: €1.51 billion (+29.8%)
• France: €1.51 billion (+16%)
• Portugal: €1.38 billion (+11%)

Germany strengthened its position as Andalucia’s largest foreign market, accounting for 14% of all exports.

UK and US continue to decline

Not every market showed positive results.

Exports to the UK fell by 5.4% to €830 million, while sales to the US dropped by 13% to €809 million.

Regional officials linked the decline in US demand partly to the continuing impact of tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump.

Cadiz the only province to fall

Every Andalucian province recorded export growth except Cadiz, according to the figures.

The strongest contributions came from the aerospace industry and the region’s powerful fruit and vegetable sector, which continue to drive Andalucia’s international trade performance.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.