The southern regions of Catalonia imported goods from Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay) valued at 1,232 million euros in 2024, according to ICEX statistics. This figure accounts for over half of the 2,223 million euros imported by Catalonia as a whole from these markets.
The Port of Tarragona plays a crucial role, with Mercosur traffic representing 11.7% of its total volume in 2025. Key commodities include bulk agri-food products, crude oil (vital for the Tarragona petrochemical crackers), iron ore, and paper pulp. The port functions as a redistribution hub for raw materials vital for EU strategic industries.
“"Europe is positioned between the US and China, and the only way to gain more opportunities is through Mercosur, through South America. As a geo-strategic move, it makes perfect sense, because it creates an economic area of almost 750 million people."
Despite its strength in imports, Tarragona faces a significant trade imbalance, exporting only 155 million euros to Mercosur in 2024 compared to the 1,232 million imported. The new association agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, which eliminates tariffs on over 91% of EU goods, presents an opportunity for Catalan exporters, particularly the chemical sector and SMEs, to increase their market share.
“"Mercosur is one more drop in the effort we are making, because for every point we lose in internal EU demand, we have to increase exports to the rest of the world. It is, more than a great opportunity, a great necessity."
