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German exports soar in July

FILE - The June 23, 2009 file photo shows containers in the harbor of Hamburg, Germany. Germany set a new all-time high in export and for the first time exported goods for more than 100 billion euro (129.37 billion US$) in one month, the federal statistic agency reported Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Axel Heimken) FILE - The June 23, 2009 file photo shows containers in the harbor of Hamburg, Germany. Germany set a new all-time high in export and for the first time exported goods for more than 100 billion euro (129.37 billion US$) in one month, the federal statistic agency reported Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Axel Heimken)

By Associated Press September 8, 2014 1 min read

BERLIN (AP) – German exports soared in July to their highest monthly value ever, helping Europe’s largest economy post a record trade surplus, another sign it is bouncing back after a surprise second-quarter contraction.

The Federal Statistical Office said Monday exports rose 4.7 percent over June while imports dropped 1.8 percent for a surplus of 22.2 billion euros ($28.7 billion) in calendar and seasonally adjusted terms.

Germany exported 101 billion euros in goods in July: 56.9 billion euros’ worth to other European Union nations and 44.1 billion euros to non-EU countries.

It imported 50.4 billion euros in goods from the EU and 27.2 billion euros’ worth from non-EU countries.

Germany’s economy unexpectedly shrank 0.2 percent in the second quarter but is expected to return to growth in the third.