exports fell by 2..3 % while imports dropped by 5.9 % compared with December. Yet, when measured against the same month last year, exports actually rose 0.6 % and imports fell 4.0 %, according to preliminary data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
The adjusted exports for the first month of the year totalled €130.5 billion, and imports were €109.2 billion, giving the country a trade surplus of €21.2 billion. By contrast, the surplus in December was €17.4 billion, and in January 2025 it was €15.9 billion.
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Trade with the European Union
Exports to EU member states were €71.6 billion, while imports from those countries were €55.6 billion. Compared with December, exports to the EU fell 4.8 % and imports dropped 6.5 %.
Breaking this down further:
– “Eurozone”: Exports were €50.1 billion, a decline of 5.7 %; imports stood at €37.6 billion, down 5.9 %.
– “EU members outside the Eurozone”: Exports amounted to €21.5 billion, a 2.7 % drop, and imports were €18.0 billion, falling 7.8 %.
Trade with Non‑EU (Third) Countries
Exports to third nations reached €58.8 billion, and imports were €53.6 billion. Relative to December 2025, exports increased by 1.0 % and imports fell by 5.3 %.
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Major Export Destinations
– “United States”: Adjusted exports hit €13.2 billion, an increase of 11.7 % over December 2025. Compared with last year’s January, exports were 0.4 % higher.
– “United Kingdom”: Exports dropped 2.6 % to €6.8 billion from the previous month.
– “China”: Exports declined 13.2 % to €6.3 billion versus December 2025.
Major Import Origins
– “China”: Imports were €14.2 billion, down 8.3 % from December.
– “United States”: Imports fell 8.2 % to €7.2 billion.
– “United Kingdom”: Imports rose 2.5 % to €3.0 billion.
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Trade with Russia
Export flows to Russia were €0.5 billion, falling 8.3 % on an adjusted basis from December. This represented a 15.9 % decrease compared with January 2025. Imports from Russia fell 20.0 % to €0.1 billion versus December 2025, and 19.7 % versus January 2025.