La Germany started 2012 well on the sales front trade balance. In January, exports reached 85,9 billion euros, up 9,3% on the same period last year and 1,05% on a monthly basis. At 71,2 billion euros, imports increased by 6,3% year-on-year and 1% month-on-month.
Based on these numbers, according to data from the federal statistical agency Destatis, German trade surplus reached 13,1 billion euros, for an increase of 29,7% on an annual basis and by 1,5% over the previous month. Germany is the world's second largest exporter after China.
