German exports fell unexpectedly in October on the back of lower demand from fellow European Union countries, official data showed today.
Exports totalled €126.4 billion, down 0.2% on the previous month, according to adjusted figures from federal statistics agency Destatis.
Analysts surveyed by Factset had predicted a one-percent rebound in exports following a dip in September.
Imports meanwhile declined more sharply by 1.2% month-on-month, totalling €108.6 billion.
As a result, the country's trade surplus - the difference between exports and imports - grew to €17.8 billion from €16.7 billion in September.
The latest drop in exports was driven by a 2.7% plunge in demand from EU member states, against a somber economic backdrop.
Shipments of "made in Germany" goods to other parts of the world were up 2.9% however, including a 5.7% jump in exports to the US.
The German economy, the EU's largest, has struggled to find its way out of a downturn in recent months as it battles headwinds including the fallout from Russia's war in Ukraine, high inflation and weaker demand from key market China.
The German government expects output to contract by 0.4% this year.
The International Monetary Fund believes Germany will be the only major advanced economy to contract in 2023.
