German Trade Surges in April 2026 as Exports and Imports Both Rise
German Exports and Imports Rise in April 2026
German foreign trade gained momentum in April 2026 as both exports and imports recorded monthly and yearly growth. According to preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), calendar and seasonally adjusted exports grew by 0.9 percent compared to March 2026, reaching €136.6 billion. Imports climbed even faster, rising 1.2 percent to €122.1 billion.
On a yearly basis, the growth is even more pronounced. Compared to April 2025, German exports increased by 3.6 percent, while imports jumped by 6.2 percent. Because imports outpaced exports, the adjusted trade surplus narrowed slightly to €14.5 billion, down from €14.7 billion in March 2026 and €16.9 billion in April 2025.
Trade Within the European Union
Germany’s trade with European Union member states saw steady gains in April. Adjusted exports to EU countries edged up 1.0 percent to €79.1 billion compared to the previous month, while imports from the bloc grew by 0.4 percent to €61.0 billion. Within this group, exports to nations outside the euro area surged by 3.0 percent, while imports from those same countries dropped by 3.4 percent.
Shifts in Global Markets
Outside the EU, Germany’s trade relationships showed mixed results. The United States remained the top destination for German goods in April 2026. German businesses exported €11.4 billion worth of merchandise to the US, marking a 1.8 percent increase from March. However, this figure represents a sharp 12.9 percent drop compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, monthly exports to the United Kingdom plunged by 9.5 percent to €6.7 billion, and exports to China fell 3.5 percent to €5.8 billion.
On the import side, the People’s Republic of China maintained its position as Germany’s largest supplier. Germany imported €15.6 billion in goods from China, a slight 0.2 percent increase from March. Imports from the United States saw a significant boost, climbing 7.6 percent to €8.6 billion, while imports from the United Kingdom dropped 4.7 percent to €3.3 billion.