Valencian Trade Balance Nears Deficit Despite Export Growth

The Valencian Community narrowly avoided a trade deficit in 2025, posting a surplus of just €244.8 million. This is a significant drop from the €1,478.5 million surplus recorded at the end of 2024, with over €1,200 million of that previous positive balance eroded throughout the year. The region’s trade performance has been impacted by challenges in key sectors and global economic shifts.

Regional Performance Compared to Spain

While the Valencian Community’s trade situation is better than Spain as a whole, which currently has a negative trade balance, the region experienced a clear loss of ground in a traditionally strong area of the economy.

Export and Import Trends

Valencian exports grew by 1.5% in 2025, reaching €37,541.4 million, according to the Territorial Directorate of Foreign Trade. However, imports increased at a much faster rate, rising by 5.1% to €37,296.6 million.

Provincial Disparities: Valencia Province Faces Deficit

The province of Valencia experienced a trade deficit of €3,820 million in 2025, a 25% increase from the negative balance recorded in 2024. This downturn is largely attributed to the struggling automotive industry.

Automotive Sector Struggles

Exports from the automobile sector plummeted by 12.6% in 2025. The decline isn’t isolated to Ford Almussafes; foreign sales of car components also fell sharply, decreasing by 31% in a single year, indicating broader difficulties within the Valencian auxiliary industry. This shift has resulted in the region importing €230 million more in cars and parts than it exported.

Agrifood Sector Remains a Key Strength

The agrifood sector continues to be a major driver of Valencian exports, reaching €9.6 billion with an 8.5% increase. This represents over one in every four euros of Valencian exports. Citrus fruits remain a significant component, but meat exports experienced a substantial surge, increasing by 41%.

Other Key Sectors

Capital goods also showed positive growth, increasing by 6.8% and gaining export weight ahead of the automobile sector. The tile industry, while traditionally strong, remained relatively stagnant with a slight decline of 0.8%, but still contributed over €3,000 million to the external balance.

Impact of Global Trade Dynamics: The “Trump Effect”

The tariff war initiated by the United States under the Trump administration impacted Valencian exports to the US, which fell by 9.7% in 2025. US imports from the Valencian Community decreased by 5.8%.

Growing Trade with China

Despite the global trade tensions, Valencian sales to China grew by over 39%, reaching €684 million. However, this figure remains significantly lower than the €6.5 billion in imports from China.