German Exports Grow After Surprising End-of-year Boost

FRANKFURT, Feb 6 (Bernama-dpa) -- German exports grew in 2025 for the first time in two years after an unexpected surge in December, official figures showed on Friday, reported German news agency dpa.

Annual exports from Europe's largest economy totalled €1,569.6 billion (US$1,836.6), a calendar and seasonally adjusted increase of 1 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Federal Statistical Office, or Destatis.

The increase comes as a surprise after two consecutive years of declining exports. In January, statisticians estimated a slight fall in exports for 2025 based on preliminary assessments.

However, a strong December turned this around, with exports rising 4 per cent month-on-month to €133.3 billion, adjusted for calendar and seasonal effects. 

This was despite ongoing tariff disputes with the United States - exports to the US still increased by just under 9 per cent to €11.8 billion. 

Business with China grew even more strongly, by almost 11 per cent to €7.2 billion. Exports to EU countries meanwhile rose 3.1 per cent to €75.3 billion.

Imports also climbed 4.4 per cent to €1,366.9 billion, leaving Germany with a foreign trade surplus of around €200 billion.

The end-of-year rise in exports offers some hope for an economic recovery. Germany narrowly avoided a third consecutive year without growth in 2025, with a small increase of 0.2 per cent.

The government expects growth of 1 per cent for 2026.

Stronger exports are also a positive sign for the labour market, as one in four jobs in Germany depends on exports.

--BERNAMA-dpa