German exports rise in January on brisk China trade

German exports unexpectedly rose in January, buoyed by robust trade with China in a positive start to the year for manufacturers in Europe's largest economy.

Seasonally adjusted exports increased 1.4 per cent on the month after an upwardly revised increase of 0.4 per cent in December, the Federal Statistics Office said on Tuesday. Imports fell 4.7 per cent after showing no change in the prior month, an upward revision.

A Reuters poll had pointed to a 1.2 per cent drop in exports and a 0.5 per cent fall in imports. January's 1.4 per cent increase in exports far surpassed even the most optimistic forecast. The trade surplus grew to 22.2 billion euros. On the year, exports to China rose by 3.1 per cent.