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Decrease in Exports in April 2025: 1.7% lower compared to March 2025

Monthly decline observed in exports, hitting 131.1 billion euros in April 2025, a 1.7% decrease from the previous month. Compared to the same month last year, there's a 2.1% decrease. Conversely, imports showed a positive trend, reaching 116.5 billion euros in April 2025, marking a 3.9%...

Monthly declines observed in exports, reaching €131.1 billion (-1.7%); downward year-over-year...
Monthly declines observed in exports, reaching €131.1 billion (-1.7%); downward year-over-year trend also recorded at -2.1%. Imports, on the other hand, show a rise for April with €116.5 billion (+3.9%) on a monthly basis and a 3.8% increase year-on-year.

Decrease in Exports in April 2025: 1.7% lower compared to March 2025

Spilled Ink: A Peek into Germany's Trading Dance with the World, April 2025

131.1 billion euros worth of exported goods

Down 1.7% from the previous month

Down 2.1% from the same month last year

Let's break down Germany's trading highs and lows for April 2025.

116.5 billion euros worth of imported goods

Up 3.9% from the previous month

Up 3.8% from the same month last year

And drumroll please, the balance of these trading shenanigans:

14.6 billion euros trade surplus

In April 2025, Germany's trade balance saw a dip compared to March 2025, with exports taking a slight hit and imports surging. The statistics, courtesy of Destatis, reveal a 2.1% decrease in exports compared to April 2024, while imports rose by 3.8% over the same period.

Now, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of Germany's trade with its EU pals and third parties.

EU Trade:

Goods worth 72.9 billion euros exported to EU member states

59.8 billion euros imported from there

0.9% increase in exports, 4.5% increase in imports, compared to March 2025

Eurozone Trade:

50.6 billion euros (+0.5%) exported to

39.4 billion euros (+5.0%) imported from

Non-EU (Third-Party) Trade:

58.1 billion euros exported to third countries

56.7 billion euros imported from there

4.8% decrease in exports, 3.4% increase in imports, compared to March 2025

Top export destinations:

United States: 13.0 billion euros (-10.5% from the previous month)

People's Republic of China: 7.0 billion euros (-5.9% from the previous month)

United Kingdom: 6.3 billion euros (-2.1% from the previous month)

As for the imports, guess who took the cake:

People's Republic of China: 13.9 billion euros (-4.1% from the previous month)

United States: 8.4 billion euros (+3.9% from the previous month)

United Kingdom: 3.0 billion euros (-8.1% from the previous month)

Russia, oh Russia…

Exports to Russia decreased by 5.3% to 0.6 billion euros

Imports decreased by 22.6% to 0.1 billion euros

The ongoing geopolitical tensions seem to be casting a long shadow on German-Russian trade. Let's keep an eye on these ol' enemies-turned-trading-partners.

Want more tea about German trade trends? Be sure to check out the following tidbits, but remember, they're just a small sip of the full jug:

Germany's industrial production, affected by economic conditions, decreased by 1.4% and 1.8% in April 2025, compared to the previous month and the same month last year, respectively.

Real new orders in manufacturing showed a slight increase of 0.6%, with significant gains in sectors like computer/electronics and other transport equipment, in April 2025 compared to the previous month.

The U.S. administration's tariff threats continue to impact German trade, particularly affecting export-driven sectors. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and sanctions have significantly impacted trade between Germany and Russia.

Germany's trade with China is significant, with both countries being major trading partners. However, specific data on trade trends between Germany and China from April 2024 to April 2025 is not detailed in the available sources.

In the complex dance of business, the finance industry is intriguingly linked to Germany's trading performance. The export decline to third countries, particularly a 4.8% decrease in April 2025, could impact numerous other industries reliant on international trade. Conversely, the surge in imports from countries like China, up by 3.4% in the same time frame, points to the growing influence of other markets on Germany's domestic economy.

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