Because of the consequences of the Ukraine war, imports to Germany rose by an average of 26.3 percent last year.
(Photo: IMAGO/Hans Blossey)
Berlin Imports to Germany became cheaper again at the beginning of the year. Import prices fell in January by 1.2 percent compared to the previous month and thus for the fifth time in a row, as the Federal Statistical Office announced on Tuesday. Economists surveyed by the Reuters news agency had expected a drop of 1.5 percent.
Cheaper energy in particular was responsible for the decline: its imports fell by 8.9 percent in December. Since the German economy obtains many preliminary products and raw materials from abroad, falling import prices also reach consumers with a delay.
Because of the consequences of the Ukraine war, imports to Germany rose by an average of 26.3 percent in the past year and thus more than at any time since 1974 due to the first oil crisis.
Since September, however, inflationary pressure has eased noticeably. Compared to January 2022, import prices at the beginning of this year were only 6.6 percent higher overall.