A sharp drop in Germany's imports in February outpaced a fall in exports, leading to a higher trade surplus than economists expected, Reuters reported.
Imports fell 4.2 percent in seasonally adjusted terms, compared with a forecast of a decline of 2 percent month-on-month. Exports dropped 0.7 percent, compared with the 3.7 percent fall expected.
That led to a trade surplus of US$11.7 billion for the month, although January's figure was revised down to $9 billion from the $11 billion originally reported, underlining weakness in the export sector.
January's export figures were revised down to show a month-on-month fall of 7.4 percent compared with a drop of 4.4 percent previously reported.
Germany enjoyed robust foreign demand for its engineering products until the economic downturn took hold last year and sent the export-orientated economy sharply into reverse.
Last month the BGA trade association forecast German exports will fall by up to 15 percent this year.
Imports fell 4.2 percent in seasonally adjusted terms, compared with a forecast of a decline of 2 percent month-on-month. Exports dropped 0.7 percent, compared with the 3.7 percent fall expected.
That led to a trade surplus of US$11.7 billion for the month, although January's figure was revised down to $9 billion from the $11 billion originally reported, underlining weakness in the export sector.
January's export figures were revised down to show a month-on-month fall of 7.4 percent compared with a drop of 4.4 percent previously reported.
Germany enjoyed robust foreign demand for its engineering products until the economic downturn took hold last year and sent the export-orientated economy sharply into reverse.
Last month the BGA trade association forecast German exports will fall by up to 15 percent this year.