German trade industry raises 2026 export growth forecast to 1%

BERLIN, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Germany's main trade association raised its 2026 export growth forecast to 1% from 0.6% on Wednesday, thanks to a surprisingly robust first half that was driven by strong European demand.

The BGA trade association said exports in the first half totaled around €818 billion ($916 billion), up 3.9% year-over-year, while imports rose by 4.7% to about €712 billion.

It confirmed its full-year import growth forecast at 3%.

"German foreign trade is stabilising, but we are still far from a turnaround," BGA President Dirk Jandura said, pointing to lower exports to the US and China.

He called for diversifying supply chains and markets while improving European companies' access to the Chinese market. "De-risking must not mean decoupling and strategic independence must not mean autarky," Jandura said.

($1 = €0.8935)

(Reporting by René Wagner, writing by Thomas Seythal, editing by Linda Pasquini)