According to the Lusa news agency, citing data released by AFIA, exports of automotive components fell 13.6% in November 2021 compared to the same month of 2020, to 812 million euros, having decreased 9.2% compared to 2019.
"Thus, and analyzing foreign sales in the first eleven months of the year, it appears that only in February and March did exports remain above the level seen in 2019 (pre-pandemic period). Comparing 2021 with 2020, it can be seen that in the second half of 2021 exports always decreased compared to the previous year," says AFIA, the Association of Manufacturers for the Automotive Industry in a statement.
AFIA says that in the year to November 2021, exports of automotive components reached 8,427 million euros, reflecting a decrease of 7.9% compared to the same period in 2019, the period before the pandemic.
Regarding export destination countries, from January to November 2021, compared to the same period in 2019, Spain remains on top, with sales of €2,438 million (+0.21TP2Q), followed by Germany, with €1,729 million (-11.11TP2Q).
In third place comes France, with a record of EUR 982 million (-23.5%), in fourth place the USA, with EUR 435 million (+22.4%), and lastly the UK, with EUR 400 million (-49.8%).
In total, these five countries represent 71% of Portuguese exports of automotive components.
"The problems in the supply chains continue to affect the entire automotive industry that, due to the lack of 'chips', electronic components and also the shortage of other raw materials have led to serious problems in this industry with car manufacturers temporarily interrupting operations," explains AFIA.
The industry association also adds that the increase in cases related to the pandemic and Brexit are other causes pointed out, recalling that exports to the UK fell by 49.9%, going from the fourth main client to the fifth.
However, it highlights the behavior of exports to Spain - "the main customer of automotive components manufactured in Portugal, with a share of 28.9%", which are above the pre-pandemic level, registering an increase of 0.1% compared to January-November 2019.
The USA, meanwhile, continues to be the fourth largest export market for automobile components produced in Portugal, with exports reaching 435 million euros and a share of 5% of total exports.
Source: Lusa