Berlin: Germany's foreign trade surplus shrank to £17 billion ($18.3 billion) in September, according to official data released on Thursday. The figure represented a decrease from £21.4 billion in August and £18.6 billion in September 2023, as reported by Destatis. According to Anadolu Agency, German exports edged down by 0.2% at an annualized pace to £128.2 billion in September, while imports rose by 1.3% to £111.3 billion. Compared to the prior month, outbound shipments dropped by 1.7%, and imports rose by 2.1%. Germany's exports of goods to countries outside the EU amounted to £58.8 billion, with imports from third countries totaling £53.5 billion in September. Most German shipments in March were directed to the US, valued at £14.2 billion, marking an increase of 4.8% from August. Exports to China decreased by 3.7% to £7.1 billion, and exports to the UK fell by 4.9% to £6.4 billion. Germany's main source of imports was China, with imports valued at £14.1 billion, marking a rise of 5.6% month-on-month.