Spain sees record exports, imports in 2017

MADRID: Spanish exports and imports rose to record levels in 2017, the economy ministry said on Tuesday, with exports rising in most sectors and imports boosted by strong domestic demand as the economy returns to strength following a prolonged recession.

Exports expanded by 8.9 percent in 2017 from a year earlier to 277.1 billion euros ($342.4 billion) while imports rose 10.5 percent to 301.9 billion euros leading to a trade deficit of 24.7 billion euros, up 31.9 percent from a year earlier.

In December, the deficit fell 16.2 percent from a year earlier to 2.1 billion euros as exports rose 6 percent to 22.0 billion euros while imports rose 3.6 percent to 24.0 billion euros, the ministry said.