According to provisional data of the Federal Statistical Office, Germany exported commodities to the value of EUR 84.4 billion and imported commodities to the value of EUR 67.3 billion in January 2008. German exports of January 2008 were thus 9.0% and imports 10.2% above the respective January 2007 levels. Upon calendar and seasonal adjustment, exports increased by 3.8% and imports by 4.2% on December 2007.
 
The foreign trade balance showed a surplus of EUR 17.1 billion in January 2008. In January 2007, the surplus amounted to EUR 16.4 billion. Upon calendar and seasonal adjustment, the foreign trade balance recorded a surplus of EUR 16.1 billion in January 2008.
 
According to provisional results of the Deutsche Bundesbank, the current account of the balance of payments showed a surplus of EUR 15.0 billion in January 2008, which included the balance of services (EUR –1.3 billion), factor income (net) (EUR +3.5 billion), current transfers (EUR –3.5 billion) and supplementary trade items (EUR –0.9 billion). In January 2007, the German current account showed a surplus of EUR 14.4 billion.
 
In January 2008, Germany dispatched commodities to the value of EUR 54.3 billion to the Member States of the European Union, while it received commodities to the value of EUR 43.1 billion from those countries. Compared with January 2007, dispatches to and arrivals from the EU countries increased by 7.7% and 11.2%, respectively. Commodities to the value of EUR 36.2 billion (+6.3%) were dispatched to the euro area countries in January 2008, while the value of commodities received from those countries was EUR 29.9 billion (+10.0%). Commodities to the value of EUR 18.1 billion (+10.5%) were dispatched to EU countries not belonging to the euro area in January 2008, while the value of the commodities which arrived from those countries was EUR 13.2 billion (+13.9%).
 
Germany exported commodities to the value of EUR 30.0 billion to and imported commodities to the value of EUR 24.2 billion from countries outside the European Union (third countries) in January 2008. Compared with January 2007, exports to third countries were up by 11.5% and imports from those countries by 8.5%.

For further information please call:
Dirk Mohr,
tel: (+49-611) 75-2475,
info-aussenhandel@destatis.de