Germany’s exports totaled €786.0 billion in the first half of 2025, a decrease of 0.1 percent compared to the same period last year, according to data released Wednesday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
Imports into Germany during the first six months of the year reached €682.0 billion, a 4.4 percent increase year-on-year. This resulted in a trade surplus of €104.0 billion, representing a 22.2 percent decline compared to the €133.7 billion recorded in the first half of 2024.
Motor vehicles and vehicle parts remained Germany’s most important export goods, valued at €131.8 billion, although exports in this category fell by 3.4 percent. Machinery followed with €106.9 billion in exports, also down 3.4 percent. A similar trend was observed in chemical product exports, reaching €70.3 billion – a decrease of 2.7 percent.
Conversely, exports of data processing equipment and pharmaceuticals experienced growth. Exports in these categories rose by 3.6 percent to €65.7 billion and 5.6 percent to €61.4 billion respectively.
Germany’s principal imports were motor vehicles and parts, valued at €73.7 billion (down 0.3 percent) and data processing equipment at €68.0 billion (up 4.6 percent).
The largest trade surplus was recorded with motor vehicles and parts (€58.1 billion) and machinery (€54.5 billion). Significant import surpluses were observed in trade with crude oil and natural gas (reaching €32.7 billion) and agricultural products (€16.6 billion).
The United States remained Germany’s top export destination, receiving goods valued at €77.6 billion – a decrease of 3.9 percent. Exports to the U.S. included 8.6 percent less motor vehicles and parts and a 7.9 percent reduction in machinery.
France ranked second with €59.2 billion in exports (-2.1 percent), followed by the Netherlands at €55.7 billion, maintaining the same level as the year before. Poland followed in fourth place with €49.4 billion (+5.6 percent). Exports to EU member states as a whole totaled €435.5 billion, a 1.2 percent increase year-on-year.
China was Germany’s largest source of imports in the first half of 2025, totaling €81.3 billion. The Netherlands (€49.3 billion) and the United States (€47.4 billion) followed. Imports from China experienced a significant increase of 10.7 percent, while those from the Netherlands (+3.0 percent) and the United States (+2.7 percent) saw more moderate growth.
Germany recorded the highest trade surpluses with the United States (€30.2 billion; -12.8 percent), France (€25.8 billion; -2.3 percent) and the United Kingdom (€20.7 billion; -10.8 percent). Trade with China, however, resulted in an import surplus of €40.0 billion (+58.4 percent).