72 Percent of All Imports from Europe

March 26, 2009 · Filed Under Countries, Suppliers

In 2008 German companies imported goods to the value of 818.6 billion euros, 72.0 percent of which came from Europe (589.3 billion euros).

In terms of imports Asia, with a share of 16.1 percent in total imports (132.1 billion euros), was ranking before America with its share of 8.9 percent (72.9 billion euros). From Africa came 2.5 percent (20.6 billion euros) and from Australia and Oceania were 0.4% (3.0 billion euros) of the total of goods imported into Germany.

75 Percent of All Exports Go to Europe

As reported by the Federal Statistical Office on the basis of the latest data, 75.0% (746.6 billion euros) of all goods exported from Germany in 2008 (to the value of 994.9 billion euros) went to European countries. The second largest sales market for German goods was Asia with a share of 11.8% (117.2 billion euros), followed by America with a share of 10.2% (102.0 billion euros). Only 2.0% (19.7 billion euros) of all German exports were sold to Africa and 0.8% (7.6 billion euros) to Australia and Oceania.

Netherlands as the Major Importing Country

With an export volume of 96.9 billion euros, France was Germany’s major trading partner in Europe, and the Netherlands were ranking first in terms of imports, with an import volume of 72.1 billion euros. Also on a worldwide scale, both France on the export side and the Netherlands on the import side are Germany’s top trading partners.

China was the biggest player in Asia, with goods exported to China in the amount of 34.1 billion euros (ranking eleventh among all trading partners), and goods imported from China to the value of 59.4 billion euros (ranking third).

On the American Continent, the United States were Germany’s major trading partner. Exports to the U.S. had a value of 71.5 billion euros (ranking second worldwide), and imports added up to 46.1 billion euros (ranking fourth). South Africa was the African country with the highest share of German exports (7.3 billion euros), thus ranking 29th worldwide, and Libya was the leading trading partner in Africa on the import side: Goods to the value of 5.5 billion euros were imported from Libya (ranking 26th). Australia imported German goods to the amount of 6.6 billion euros (ranking 31st) and exported goods to Germany to the tune of 2.0 billion euros (ranking 42nd).

Destatis table to be downloaded: trading partners by volume in foreign trade

Photo: Impressions from The Hague, seaside metropolis of the Netherlands (photo: The Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions)