Weak German imports widen trade surplus in November

Seasonally adjusted imports dropped by 1.6% on the month while exports edged down 0.4%

Photograph: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg
Photograph: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

German imports fell unexpectedly in November, outstripping a drop in exports and widening the trade surplus of Europe’s largest economy, data showed on Wednesday.

The Federal Statistics Office said seasonally adjusted imports dropped by 1.6 per cent on the month while exports edged down 0.4 per cent. That meant the trade surplus widened to €19 billion from a revised €17.9 billion.

A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to an unchanged reading for imports and a 0.3 per cent fall in exports. – Reuters

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up to the Business Today newsletter for the latest new and commentary in your inbox

  • Listen to Inside Business podcast for a look at business and economics from an Irish perspective