Germany’s Trade Surplus Widens as Exports Edge Higher

Germany’s foreign trade improved modestly in October 2025, with exports rising 0.1 per cent month on month and imports falling 1.2 per cent on a calendar and seasonally adjusted basis, according to provisional data from the Federal Statistical Office. Year on year, exports increased 4.2 per cent and imports grew 2.8 per cent. Adjusted exports reached €131.3 billion and imports €114.5 billion, lifting the trade surplus to €16.9 billion, up from €15.3 billion in September and above the €14.6 billion recorded in October 2024.

Trade with EU partners strengthened, as exports to the bloc rose 2.7 per cent to €76.3 billion and imports increased 2.8 per cent to €61.1 billion. Shipments to eurozone economies grew 2.5 per cent, while imports from the currency area climbed 3.9 per cent. By contrast, trade with non-EU countries weakened. Exports to third countries fell 3.3 per cent to €55.1 billion and imports dropped 5.4 per cent to €53.4 billion.

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The United States remained Germany’s largest export market, though shipments declined 7.8 per cent from the previous month to €11.3 billion and were down 8.3 per cent year on year. Exports to China slipped 5.8 per cent to €6.3 billion, while exports to the United Kingdom fell 6.5 per cent to €6.5 billion. China also remained the largest source of imports, though inbound volumes fell 5.2 per cent to €13.8 billion. Imports from the United States declined 16.6 per cent to €7.2 billion, and those from the United Kingdom dropped 14.5 per cent to €3.1 billion.

Trade with Russia stayed limited, with exports rising 4.8 per cent month on month to €0.6 billion but slightly lower than a year earlier. Imports from Russia fell 10.6 per cent on the month and were down 34.7 per cent year on year. On an unadjusted basis, Germany exported €139.1 billion and imported €121.8 billion, resulting in a nominal surplus of €17.3 billion compared with €15.1 billion a year earlier.