Trotz Zollstreit: Elektrobranche steigert Exporte im ersten Halbjahr kräftig

Frankfurt/Main: The German electronics industry saw a significant boost in exports during the first half of the year, despite a trade dispute with the United States. According to industry association ZVEI in Frankfurt, exports rose by 9.3% to €138.5 billion from January to June. June alone saw an export increase of nearly one-fifth (18.3%) to €24.5 billion.

The main market remained the United States, where deliveries decreased by 2.1% year-on-year to €12.4 billion. ZVEI chief economist Andreas Gontermann noted that a 2.1% decline in exports to the US, given the tight US trade policy, is actually quite moderate. China, the second-largest export market, saw a 1.6% year-on-year increase to €11.4 billion.

Strong sales in EU countries such as the Netherlands, France, and Poland also supported the industry. The top three to nine positions in export rankings are occupied by EU partner countries, ultimately driving the export growth of the sector in the first half of the year, Gontermann said. The electronics industry, employing around 873,000 people in Germany, is one of the largest industrial employers in the country.

It recently reported increasing orders and a better industry mood. Meanwhile, electronic goods worth €143.8 billion were imported into Germany during the first half of the year, a lesser increase (7.7%) compared to exports. By far, China was the main supplier of imports to Germany, with imports amounting to €42.8 billion.