Germany posts slight trade growth as exports edge higher in October

Germany’s foreign trade showed a modest improvement in October 2025, with exports rising 0.1 per cent month on month (MoM) and imports declining 1.2 per cent on a calendar and seasonally adjusted basis, according to provisional data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Year-over-year (YoY), exports increased 4.2 per cent, while imports grew 2.8 per cent.

Adjusted exports totalled €131.3 billion and imports €114.5 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of €16.9 billion (~$19.6 billion), up from €15.3 billion in September and higher than the €14.6 billion surplus recorded in October 2024.

Trade activity with EU markets strengthened. Exports to EU member states rose 2.7 per cent month on month to €76.3 billion, while imports increased 2.8 per cent to €61.1 billion. Shipments to eurozone countries grew 2.5 per cent, and imports from the bloc increased 3.9 per cent, Destatis said in a press release.

Germany’s trade performance improved slightly in October 2025, with exports up 0.1 per cent MoM and imports down 1.2 per cent.
The adjusted trade surplus rose to €16.9 billion (~$19.6 billion).
EU trade strengthened, but non-EU activity weakened, with notable declines in exports to the United States, China, and the United Kingdom.
China remained the top import source.

Trade with non-EU partners weakened. Exports to third countries fell 3.3 per cent to €55.1 billion, while imports dropped 5.4 per cent to €53.4 billion.

The United States remained Germany’s largest export destination, though exports declined 7.8 per cent month on month to €11.3 billion and were down 8.3 per cent year on year. Exports to China decreased 5.8 per cent to €6.3 billion, while exports to the United Kingdom fell 6.5 per cent to €6.5 billion.

China was also the largest source of imports, though inbound trade fell 5.2 per cent to €13.8 billion. Imports from the United States declined 16.6 per cent to €7.2 billion, while those from the United Kingdom dropped 14.5 per cent to €3.1 billion.

Trade with Russia remained limited. Exports rose 4.8 per cent month on month to €0.6 billion but were slightly lower year on year. Imports from Russia fell 10.6 per cent on the month and were down 34.7 per cent compared with October 2024.

On an unadjusted basis, Germany exported €139.1 billion worth of goods and imported €121.8 billion. The resulting nominal surplus reached €17.3 billion, up from €15.1 billion a year earlier.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)