Berlin – Preliminary data from the German Federal Statistical Office revealed a significant decline in German exports to Middle Eastern countries. This follows the outbreak of the American-Israeli-Iranian war last February.
According to Handelsblatt newspaper, exports to several Gulf states saw notable decreases. Exports to Qatar fell by 60% to approximately 54 million euros. Kuwait’s exports declined by 58%, reaching 44 million euros. Exports to the United Arab Emirates decreased by 38% to 582 million euros. Oman’s exports dropped by 17% to less than 45 million euros. Exports to Bahrain plunged by 64% to 14.2 million euros. Saudi Arabia experienced a comparatively smaller decline. Its exports fell by 13% to 643 million euros.
German exports to the region totaled around 1.5 billion euros in March. This marks a decrease of approximately 757 million euros. The decline is compared to the same period last year.
Peter Schmitz, an expert at the German Trade & Invest agency, explained the decline. He attributed it primarily to escalating regional tensions linked to the conflict. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz also played a role. These factors negatively impacted trade flow and supply chains in the region.
The report indicated significant disruptions in the strait recently. These included reduced navigation and the halting of tracking systems. This affected several oil tankers. Such measures aimed to avoid targeting amid military escalation.