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Due to the corona pandemic, German exports fell more sharply last year than they have since the financial crisis in 2009.
They fell by 9.3 percent to 1204.7 billion euros, as the Federal Statistical Office announced on Tuesday.
It was the first decline since 2013 and the strongest since 2009 with minus 18.4 percent at the time.
Last year imports also fell more sharply than they have been since 2009, namely by 7.1 percent to 1,025.6 billion euros.
The decline in exports is mainly due to the slump at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. After that, exports increased eight months in a row - most recently in December by 0.1 percent compared to the previous month.
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Business with the world's two largest economies made a major contribution to the positive development: exports to the People's Republic of China grew by 11.6 percent in December to EUR 9.3 billion, while those to the USA rose by 8.4 percent 9.2 billion for the first time in ten months.
The chances are not bad that foreign business will pick up this year.
The recovery of the global economy from the recession year 2020, predicted by many experts, should play into the cards of exporters.
For Germany's most important trading partner China, for example, economic growth of around 8.5 percent is expected this year.
The USA should also grow strongly.
The mood improves in January
In January the mood among German exporters even brightened significantly.
The Ifo export expectations of the industry rose in January from 1.9 points to 6.0 points.
That was the best value since October.
Among other things, a robust industrial economy and the global vaccination start led to cautious optimism.
While industrial production collapsed in the first corona wave, work in most companies continued in the second wave.
The borders remained open to trade.
In addition to private consumption, exports are an important pillar of the German economy.