In March 2025, import prices in Germany were 2.1 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Wednesday. In February, the change rate compared to the same month of the previous year was +3.6 percent and in January it was +3.1 percent. As the Federal Office further reports, import prices decreased by 1.0 percent compared to the previous month.
Meanwhile, export prices were 2.0 percent higher than in March 2024. In February, the change rate compared to the same month of the previous year was +2.5 percent and in January it was +2.4 percent. Compared to February, export prices decreased by 0.4 percent.
The largest impact on the overall development of import prices in March 2025 came from the increase in prices for consumer goods (consumables and supplies) by 3.6 percent compared to the same month of the previous year (-0.6 percent compared to February 2025). The prices for imported consumer goods were 4.2 percent higher than in March 2024 (-0.5 percent compared to February 2025), while supplies were 1.0 percent more expensive (-1.0 percent compared to February 2025).
In particular, prices for food increased by 9.8 percent compared to March 2024 (+0.3 percent compared to February 2025). Oranges juice, sweets (excluding baked goods), apple juice, poultry meat, beef and milk and milk products were all more expensive than in March 2024. The increase in the prices of sweets was mainly due to higher prices for cocoa butter, cocoa fat and cocoa oil (+62.7 percent) and chocolate and other sweets (+31.5 percent).
The prices for imported agricultural products were 12.3 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year (+1.6 percent compared to February 2025). In particular, coffee was much more expensive than a year ago (+69.8 percent), while the prices of eggs and poultry were 12.2 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year. On the other hand, shallots (-27.2 percent) and live pigs (-25.4 percent) were cheaper than a year ago. However, the prices of shallots (+13.2 percent) and live pigs (+9.6 percent) increased significantly compared to the previous month.
Imported energy was also more expensive than in March 2024 (+2.4 percent), according to the statisticians. Compared to February, the prices for energy decreased significantly by 6.6 percent. The import prices for electricity were 46.5 percent higher than in March 2024 (-26.7 percent compared to February 2025), while the prices for natural gas were 34.6 percent higher (-5.6 percent compared to February 2025). On the other hand, coal (-20.7 percent), crude oil (-12.8 percent) and mineral oil products (-12.5 percent) were cheaper than in March 2024. Compared to the previous month, the prices of mineral oil products decreased by 7.0 percent, coal by 5.5 percent and crude oil by 5.2 percent.
Without considering energy prices, import prices were 2.2 percent higher than in March 2024. Compared to February, they decreased by 0.3 percent. If only oil and mineral oil products are excluded, the import price index was 3.2 percent higher than in March 2024 and 0.8 percent lower than in February.
Vorleistungsgüter prices were 1.9 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year (-0.4 percent compared to February) and investment goods were 0.2 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year (-0.4 percent compared to February). Exported goods prices were most impacted by price increases in the previous month for Vorleistungsgüter, Konsumgüter and Investitionsgüter.
Exported consumer goods were 2.5 percent more expensive than in March 2024 (+0.1 percent compared to February 2025). While supplies were 1.5 percent more expensive, the prices for consumer goods were 2.8 percent higher than in March 2024. In particular, coffee (decaffeinated or roasted) was exported at prices 53.1 percent higher than in March 2024. The prices for butter and other fat products from milk were 27.0 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year (-5.3 percent compared to February 2025) and sweets without baked goods were 24.2 percent more expensive, with particular emphasis on cocoa mass, cocoa butter, cocoa fat, cocoa oil and cocoa powder, which saw a price increase of 29.1 percent.
Energy exports were 13.2 percent more expensive than in the same month of the previous year, but 7.5 percent cheaper than in February. In particular, natural gas prices were 49.3 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year (-3.0 percent compared to February). On the other hand, mineral oil products were 12.3 percent cheaper than a year ago (-6.0 percent compared to February).
Exported agricultural products were 6.4 percent more expensive than in March 2024 (-0.7 percent compared to February).