Germany’s import activity turned sharply lower at the start of 2026, with imports falling 5.9% month-on-month in January, according to data updated on 10 March 2026. The decline marks a clear reversal from December 2025, when imports had increased by 1.3% compared with November.
On a month-on-month basis, the latest data show that January’s drop follows a relatively resilient end to 2025, underlining a weakening in incoming goods at the beginning of the new year. The figures compare the change in imports for each month against the immediately preceding month, highlighting a shift from modest growth in December to a notable contraction in January. Investors and analysts will be watching upcoming releases closely to gauge whether this downturn in imports signals softer domestic demand or a temporary adjustment in trade flows.
