Germany’s exports totalled €786.0 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a decrease of 0.1 percent compared to the same period in 2024, according to data released Wednesday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
Imports into Germany during the first six months of the year reached €682.0 billion, a 4.4 percent increase year-on-year. This resulted in a trade surplus of €104.0 billion, down 22.2 percent from the €133.7 billion recorded in the first half of 2024.
Motor vehicles and vehicle parts remained Germany’s most valuable export, accounting for €131.8 billion, although exports in this category declined by 3.4 percent. Machinery followed with €106.9 billion, also a 3.4 percent decrease, with a similar downward trend observed in chemical exports, which reached €70.3 billion (-2.7 percent).
Growth areas included data processing equipment and pharmaceuticals, with exports rising by 3.6 percent to €65.7 billion and 5.6 percent to €61.4 billion respectively.
Leading imports to Germany were motor vehicles and parts (€73.7 billion, -0.3 percent) and data processing equipment (€68.0 billion, +4.6 percent).
Germany’s largest trade surplus was generated with motor vehicles (€58.1 billion) and machinery (€54.5 billion). Conversely, significant import surpluses were recorded with crude oil and natural gas (€32.7 billion) and agricultural products (€16.6 billion).
The United States remained Germany’s primary export destination, receiving €77.6 billion worth of goods. However, exports to the US dropped by 3.9 percent, including an 8.6 percent decrease in vehicle parts and a 7.9 percent decline in machinery.
France ranked second with €59.2 billion (-2.1 percent), followed by the Netherlands at €55.7 billion (0.0 percent). Poland was fourth with €49.4 billion (+5.6 percent). Exports to EU member states collectively totalled €435.5 billion, a 1.2 percent increase.
China was Germany’s largest source of imports (€81.3 billion), with imports from China increasing disproportionately by 10.7 percent. The Netherlands (€49.3 billion) and the United States (€47.4 billion) registered more moderate increases of 3.0 percent and 2.7 percent respectively.
Germany recorded its highest trade surpluses with the United States (€30.2 billion, -12.8 percent), France (€25.8 billion, -2.3 percent) and the United Kingdom (€20.7 billion, -10.8 percent). Trade with China, however, registered an import surplus of €40.0 billion (+58.4 percent).
