Alicante’s export activity shows the impact of eroding purchasing power across most consumers in the region and in European markets as inflation weighs on demand. The footwear sector is a telling casualty, barely keeping the positive momentum from the previous year and only extending the good run up to January.
New data from Icex, released on Thursday, show that Valencian firms stepped up overseas shipments in February, reaching €622.1 million, up 7% from the same month a year earlier. At first glance this looks positive, but the increase reflects a slowdown from the 13.7% recovery seen in the early part of the year, and it trails the 19% rise recorded in January of the prior year.
Moreover, the February performance sits below the 9.7% national rise in international shipments and barely tops inflation, which finished February at 6.1%. This means the actual volume of goods sent abroad grew only modestly.
Because January opened on a strong note, the two month total still stands at €1.227 billion, marking a robust 12.9% year over year rise.
Alicante exports in February. Information
When the data are broken down by sector, it becomes clear that much of the expansion rests on the footwear segment, which rose 27% in January but slowed to 2.4% in February. Nevertheless, shoes remain the top exported Alicante product, reaching €131.3 million. The association notes that the trend aligns with what many companies report: shrinking purchasing power is pushing consumers to prioritize essentials, a concern articulated by Marian Cano, president of the Valencian Footwear Entrepreneurs Association. She warns that the industry could face further softening in the months ahead. In particular, slowdowns in European markets are mirrored by softer sales in other major foreign markets, notably the United States.
Even with this slowdown, the footwear sector is not the only one feeling the pinch. Aluminum sales fell 3.29% to 27.7 million units in February, marble shipments dropped by about 1%, and the toy sector registered a meaningful decline as the year began with a weak first quarter. While toy turnover represents a small share of overall revenue, its early-year drop is a troubling sign for that segment.
A doll factory in Onil. Lucio Abad
On the positive side, agriculture shows strong momentum in exports abroad after a rough start in January. Exports of pulses and vegetables rose by 25% to 65.7 million units, while fruit shipments climbed to 49 million with an 8.8% increase. Canned goods rose 5.5% to 24.9 million, though still lagging inflation pressure.
Fresh data referenced by a campaign on Vega Baja confirms a favorable price environment for artichokes, as noted by Jose Vicente Andreu, the president of Asaja Alicante. He highlights that prices for oranges and lemons remain strong, helped by limited harvests in Mar Menor and reduced plantings in the Cartagena area. This farm sector outlook reflects an uptick in local sentiment about future yields and farm income.
An artichoke field. Axel Alvarez
In other markets, consumption slows appear in several European economies. Germany, the state’s second-largest client, shows only a small change near zero. Italy dips by 3.3% and Poland grows by 16.2%. Sanctions affect some destinations, with Russia down 57.6% year over year. Algeria also underperforms, dropping from €12.9 million in February last year to €1.6 million this year. The United States posts a modest 1.4% increase, a softer pace once inflation is considered, contrasting with the robust growth seen in this market in previous periods.
Euro devaluation triggers 27% of exports from the state to the US
Still, France leads with a 25.2% gain, followed by Portugal at 20% and the United Kingdom at 18.6%, helping buffer the overall picture. Looking ahead, the outlook remains uncertain and volatility remains a clear feature of the coming months.
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Notes: Data cited come from Icex according to the regional exporters’ federation and industry observers. Additional context from industry associations is included to illustrate price trends and regional harvest conditions. Citations: Icex data and Asociación de Empresarios de Calzado de Valencia Alicante, with context from local producers.