Germany reports record exports in March

Germany drove its trade surplus up to 15.2 billion euros ($22 billion) in March, official data showed on Monday as sustained global activity fuelled record exports by Europe's economic powerhouse. In February, the calendar and seasonally adjusted trade surplus had come to 11.2 billion euros, figures published by the national statistics office showed.
Germany exported goods worth a nominal 98.3 billion euros in March while taking in imports worth 79.4 billion euros, the Destatis data showed. "That was the highest monthly figure recorded for both exports and imports since the collection of foreign trade statistics had started in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1950," a statement said.
On a monthly basis, exports were 7.3 percent stronger and imports were up by 3.1 percent. On an annualised basis, the value of goods shipped abroad by Germany, the world's second-biggest exporter after China, gained 15.8 percent in March, while imports were 16.9 percent higher, Destatis said. Citing data provided by Germany's central bank, it said the current account of the balance of payments, a broader measure of trade, showed a surplus of 19.5 billion euros in March, up from 18.8 billion a year ago.