Germany’s goods exports rose more strongly than expected in September. This is apparent from figures from the German Federal Statistical Office.
Exports increased by 1.5 percent compared to August, when there was a revised decrease of 0.9 percent. Economists had expected on average that German exports would increase by 0.3 percent before September.
The value of German goods exports amounted to more than 114 billion euros in September. The export to other countries in the European Union (including the euro zone) was worth € 68.4 billion. The rest (€ 45.7 billion) went to countries elsewhere in the world.
Recession nearly avoided
Imports from Europe’s largest economy increased by 1.3 percent in September compared to a month earlier, when German imports increased by an adjusted 0.1 percent. Imports from Germany were worth 93 billion euros in September.
ING economist Carsten Brzeski stated that with the better-than-expected export figure, the German economy may have escaped a recession at the last minute. Despite continuing trade tensions, German exports experienced a better-than-expected quarter, the economist said.
Maurice Esma, a co-founder of EconomicInform is a freelance journalist with the expertise in international finance and corporate rights. The author can be reached by email maurice.eisma@economicinform.com