German exports decreased by 1.4 percent in May 2025 compared to April, after seasonal and calendar adjustments, while imports fell by 3.8 percent. Conversely, when compared to May 2024, exports rose by 0.4 percent and imports increased by 4.2 percent, according to preliminary data released by the Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis) on Tuesday.
In May, goods valued at €129.4 billion were exported from Germany and goods worth €111.1 billion were imported, resulting in a trade surplus of €18.4 billion. This represents a decrease from the adjusted trade balance of +€15.7 billion in April and +€22.3 billion in May 2024.
Exports to member states of the European Union totaled €71.3 billion, with imports from those states amounting to €57.7 billion. Adjusted for seasonal and calendar variations, exports to EU countries fell by 2.2 percent and imports decreased by 3.6 percent compared to April.
Within the Eurozone countries, exports totaled €49.3 billion (-2.6 percent) and imports were €37.9 billion (-3.2 percent). Exports to EU member states outside the Eurozone reached €22.0 billion (-1.3 percent), with imports reaching €19.8 billion (-4.2 percent).
Exports to non-EU countries (third countries) amounted to €58.1 billion, with imports standing at €53.3 billion. Both export and import figures experienced declines compared to April, decreasing by 0.3 percent and 4.1 percent respectively.
The United States remained the primary destination for German exports, however, adjusted for seasonal and calendar factors, exports to the US decreased by 7.7 percent compared to April. This resulted in exports to the US falling to €12.1 billion – the lowest level since March 2022 (€11.9 billion). Year-on-year, exports to the US declined by 13.8 percent. Exports to the People’s Republic of China fell by 2.9 percent compared to April, reaching €6.8 billion. Exports to the United Kingdom, however, rose by 15.1 percent to €7.2 billion.
China was the leading source of German imports, with goods valued at €13.8 billion imported – a decrease of 1.0 percent compared to the previous month. Imports from the United States fell by 10.7 percent to €7.4 billion. Imports from the United Kingdom increased by 4.0 percent to €3.1 billion.
Exports to Russia saw a significant decrease of 12.1 percent compared to April, reaching €0.5 billion; year-on-year they declined by 11.1 percent. Imports from Russia increased compared to April by 9.4 percent, reaching €0.1 billion; relative to May 2024, they fell by 39.8 percent.