Germany is an exporting country. This is not news. In 2017, other states bought goods worth a total of 1.3 trillion euros to Germany. But what exactly is it that makes German companies so successful in sales? And in which channels? And to whom?
Business partner
Germany's most important trading partners are the United States, France and China, followed by many neighboring European countries. Overall, Germany's trade with its 10 most important trading partners accounts for almost 60% of its total exports.
America 111,53
France 105.21
Depth 86,19
Netherlands 85,89
UK 84.36
Italy 65.56
Austria 62.56
Poland 59.54
Switzerland 54.01
Belgium 44.27
Exports in billions of euros
Kilde: Federal Statistical Office, 2018.
journey across borders
68% of Germany's total export business is still in Europe. However, the shares of Asia and America are increasing.
Europa 68%
Asia 17%
America 13%
Africa 2%
Australia and Oceania 1%
Kilde: Federal Statistical Office.
car for the whole world
One in three German passenger cars is sold to China. Automotive and subcontracted parts are undisputedly number one among export success stories. However, large quantities of pharmaceuticals and food products, such as over 800,000 tons of chocolate each year, are also sold overseas.
Automobiles and auto parts 234.4
Machinery 183.6
Chemical products 114.7
Data processing equipment, electrical and optical products 110.5
Electrical equipment 83.0
Pharmaceuticals and similar products 75.9
figures in billions of euros
Kilde: Federal Statistical Office, 2018.
Many companies, small amount
Although they represent a relatively small share of total exports, more than two-thirds of Germany's exporters are small and medium-sized enterprises.
12 cars per minute
A short-term view is helpful in determining how much goods are being taken out of the country. German companies exports per minute:
12 cars
360 engine
840 toothbrushes
2,800 contact lenses
8,700 bottles of beer
308,700 screws
Source: Kyto GmbH
Mostly on the road, with great value in the air
More than half of the goods (55.2%) are transported to the destination country by truck, followed by container transport (19.5%). Heavy goods and raw materials are often transported via pipelines (7.4%), rail (6.5%), or inland waterways (5.8%). Valuable things fly away.
