AHK Romania: Volume of trade between Romania and Germany decreased by 1.9% in first semester

Trade between Romania and Germany registered a decrease of 1.9% in the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2024, reports the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania), which cites data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday, AHK Romania shows that the volume of trade (imports and exports) between the two countries amounted to 21.1 billion euros, in the period January-June 2025.

In terms of Romanian exports to Germany, they amounted to 9.7 billion euros, down 4.7% compared to the first semester of the previous year, while imports from Germany stagnated, with an increase of only 0.5%, at 11.4 billion euros.

These results place Romania in 18th place in terms of German exports and 19th place in terms of imports. Overall, Romania drops from 16th to 17th place in the ranking of Germany's trading partners.

"After years of continuous growth in bilateral trade, we expect a decrease in trade for the whole year. The economic slowdown and the reduction of industrial activities in Germany are also leaving their mark on bilateral economic exchanges. But the declining economic dynamics in Romania are also having a negative impact on bilateral trade. It is all the more necessary that fiscal measures in Romania are oriented in such a way that they no longer represent a burden for companies. In particular, the recent decision to continue the turnover tax (IMCA) has a negative impact on companies. This type of taxation reduces the willingness to invest, in some cases calling into question the very basis of businesses and, therefore, future tax revenues, which are extremely necessary due to the precarious budgetary situation. This tax contradicts the very desire of the Government to implement economic policies that stimulate economic growth", argues Sebastian Metz, General Manager and Member of the The Board of Directors of AHK Romania, quoted in the press release.

AHK Romania is the official representation of the German economy, established in 2002, and currently counting over 670 member companies.

Since January 1, 2020, the Competence Center for the Republic of Moldova has also been operating within AHK Romania, with the aim of intensifying business relations between companies from Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Germany