German import prices decreased by 1.1 percent in May 2025 compared to the same month the previous year, according to data released Monday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Prices for goods entering the country fell by 0.7 percent compared to April. The rate of change compared to the previous year was -0.4 percent in April and +2.1 percent in March.
Export prices, conversely, rose by 1.0 percent in May 2025 compared to May 2024. The year-on-year change was also +1.0 percent in April 2025 and +2.0 percent in March. Prices remained unchanged when compared to April.
The most significant factor influencing overall import prices in May was a decrease in energy prices, which dropped by 14.6 percent compared to May 2024. Prices also fell by 4.4 percent compared to April.
Raw crude oil (-26.4 percent), hard coal (-21.2 percent) and petroleum products (-17.3 percent) were notably cheaper than in May 2024. Month-over-month price declines were also seen in crude oil (-6.5 percent), petroleum products (-3.2 percent) and hard coal (-2.2 percent).
Conversely, prices for imported electricity were 1.7 percent higher than in May 2024, while natural gas prices were up 0.5 percent. However, both categories saw declines compared to April – electricity by 13.5 percent and natural gas by 3.0 percent.
Excluding energy prices, import prices were 0.4 percent higher than in May 2024. When considering changes compared to April, they were 0.3 percent lower. Leaving out crude oil and petroleum products, the import price index was also 0.4 percent above the level of May 2024 and 0.4 percent below the level of April 2025.
Prices for intermediate goods were 1.0 percent lower than those of the previous year (-0.5 percent compared to April), while prices for investment goods decreased by 0.3 percent compared to the same month in 2024 (-0.2 percent compared to April).
Prices for imported consumer goods (both durable and non-durable goods) were 2.7 percent higher than in May 2024, with no change compared to April. Imported non-durable goods were 3.3 percent more expensive than in May 2024 (0.0 percent compared to April), while prices for imported durable goods showed no change compared to the previous year (-0.1 percent compared to April).
Food products experienced a significant price increase of 10.5 percent compared to May 2024 (+0.7 percent compared to April). Notably, orange juice (+33.9 percent), confectionery (+33.8 percent), apple juice (+32.9 percent), beef (+32.8 percent), poultry (+28.9 percent) and dairy products (+13.0 percent) were significantly more expensive. The confectionery increase was largely driven by higher prices for chocolate and other sweets (+35.6 percent).
Prices for imported agricultural goods were 4.2 percent higher than in May 2025 (-2.3 percent compared to April). Raw coffee prices were significantly higher than a year ago (+50.0 percent), decreasing by 3.8 percent compared to the previous month.
Spear onions (+26.6 percent), raw cocoa (+12.5 percent) and poultry and eggs (+12.0 percent) also cost more than a year ago. Relative to April 2025, these products were also more expensive: spear onions by 14.2 percent, raw cocoa by 4.3 percent and poultry and eggs by 0.8 percent.
Conversely, live pigs (-10.5 percent) and potatoes (-3.9 percent compared to May 2024 and -5.0 percent compared to April) were cheaper.
In terms of exports, price increases in consumer and investment goods had the greatest impact on price development in May 2025.
Exported consumer goods were 2.3 percent more expensive than in May 2024 (+0.2 percent compared to April). Prices for durable goods were 1.6 percent above those of the previous year, while non-durable goods were 2.5 percent more expensive than in May 2024. Notably, exported decaffeinated or roasted coffee increased by 55.1 percent compared to May 2024 (+1.7 percent compared to April). Butter and other milk fats cost 23.3 percent more than in the previous year, decreasing by 1.9 percent compared to April.
Exported investment goods increased in price by 1.1 percent compared to May 2024 (+0.1 percent compared to April). Intermediate goods were 0.2 percent more expensive than in May 2024 and 0.2 percent cheaper than the previous month. The price level for exported agricultural goods remained unchanged compared to the previous year. Prices were 0.6 percent lower compared to April.
Conversely, energy exports were cheaper than in the previous month and the previous year, largely due to declines in mineral oil products (15.6 percent lower than the previous year, -1.6 percent compared to April). Natural gas prices were 10.7 percent higher than those of the previous year but decreased by 5.5 percent compared to April.