According to preliminary data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Thursday, German exports rose by 0.9 percent in May 2026 compared to April 2026, while imports fell by 2.5 percent. When compared to the previous year, May 2025, exports increased by 6.1 percent, and imports rose by 6.9 percent.
In May 2026, calendar and season-adjusted exports from Germany totaled €137.9 billion, with imports amounting to €118.8 billion. This resulted in a merchandise trade balance surplus of €19.1 billion for the month. This figure is an increase from the €14.7 billion surplus recorded in April 2026, although it is lower than the €18.8 billion surplus reported in May 2025.
European Union (EU) member states received €78.3 billion in exports and sent €59.5 billion in imports, based on calendar and season-adjusted figures. Compared to April 2026, exports to EU states dropped by 1.1 percent, and imports from these nations declined by 2.5 percent.
The breakdown within the EU shows that the Eurozone received €54.6 billion in exports (-0.5 percent) and imported €39.9 billion (-4.3 percent). Exports to non-Eurozone EU members were €23.7 billion (-2.4 percent), while imports from these nations rose by 1.6 percent to €19.6 billion.
Trading outside the EU (Third Countries) saw exports valued at €59.6 billion and imports valued at €59.4 billion. Against April 2026, exports to third countries increased by 3.6 percent, and imports from these regions fell by 2.6 percent.
When looking at specific trading partners, the United States was the destination for the majority of German exports in May 2026. Exports to the U.S. reached €14.1 billion, marking a significant jump of 23.1 percent over April 2026. Furthermore, compared to May 2025, exports to the United States were 15.4 percent higher. Exports to the United Kingdom grew by 0.4 percent month-over-month to reach €6.7 billion, while exports to the People’s Republic of China surged by 7.1 percent compared to April 2026, totaling €6.2 billion.
Conversely, the People’s Republic of China was the largest source of imports. Imports from China amounted to €15.1 billion, a 2.0 percent decrease from the previous month. Imports from the United States climbed by 11.5 percent to €9.5 billion, and goods from the United Kingdom increased by 14.5 percent, totaling €3.8 billion over the same period.
In nominal terms (not calendar or season adjusted), Germany exported €129.3 billion in May 2026 and imported €113.7 billion. This unadjusted trade balance posted a surplus of €15.6 billion, down from the €18.4 billion surplus recorded in May 2025. Under these nominal figures, exports fell by 0.8 percent, while imports rose by 1.6 percent compared to the previous year.
