Strong June limits H1 decline in German machinery exports, VDMA says

Shipments to the Middle East rose 57.8% after the signing of a framework agreement in June, while exports to the South American bloc Mercosur increased 12.5%.

Exports to the United States, Germany's largest single export market for machinery, climbed 13.3%, though VDMA said the increase should also be viewed against a weak year-earlier comparison.

Exports to the European Union rose 2.8% and shipments to the rest of Europe gained 4.2%, while exports to China fell 1.8% amid continued challenges in that market.

The association warned that the outlook for the second half of the year remains uncertain as conflicts in the Gulf region weigh on the global economy and the threat of further tariff shocks act as a drag on business with the U.S.

($1 = 0.8551 euros)

BERLIN, Aug. 21 (Reuters) - A strong June helped limit the decline in German machinery exports in the first half of 2026, with overseas shipments down just 0.8% year-on-year despite continued weakness in some key markets, engineering association VDMA said on Friday.

German machinery exports totalled €18.0 billion ($21.05 billion) in June, up 6.8% in nominal terms from a year earlier, VDMA said, citing data from the federal statistics office.

The strong end to the first half was driven by higher deliveries to several export markets.