German trade suffers as exports falter and imports fluctuate

Germany's Export Sector Faces Continued Challenges

Germany experienced another setback in its export performance in November 2025, as newly released figures revealed a decline in outbound trade while imports continued to climb.

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the country's trade surplus narrowed, underscoring concerns about external demand in Europe's largest economy.

Destatis reported that, after adjusting for calendar and seasonal factors, German exports dropped by 2.5% compared to October 2025, whereas imports increased by 0.8% during the same period.

On a year-over-year basis, exports slipped by 0.8%, while imports surged by 5.4% compared to November 2024.

In November 2025, seasonally adjusted goods exports were valued at €128.1 billion.

Imports reached €115.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of €13.1 billion, as highlighted by Destatis.

For comparison, the adjusted trade surplus stood at €17.2 billion in October 2025 and €20.0 billion in November 2024.

This data indicates that Germany's trade surplus has contracted both on a monthly basis and relative to the previous year.

Shifting Trade Patterns: EU Decline, Growth Elsewhere

Germany's trade difficulties are also evident within the European Union, where it remains the leading economic force.

Compared to October 2025, exports to EU member states fell by 4.2%, and imports from these countries dropped by 4.0% after seasonal adjustments.

In contrast, trade with non-EU countries followed a different trend: exports to these markets edged down by just 0.2%, while imports from outside the EU jumped by 6.3%.

In summary, Germany is currently trading less with EU partners but increasing its imports from countries beyond the bloc.

The United States continued to be Germany's top export destination, though the outlook remained negative. Exports to the US totaled €10.8 billion in November, marking a 4.2% decrease from the previous month.

Year-on-year, exports to the US plunged by 22.9% after adjusting for seasonal and calendar effects. Meanwhile, shipments to China increased over the month, whereas exports to the UK declined.

These figures underscore Germany's exposure to changing global demand and pricing pressures as it attempts to recover from its current economic downturn.