Foreign Trade

Foreign Businesses

In terms of imports, Hessen posted a 8.5 % increase in import volume to €93.5 billion. The most important exports in 2017 were chemical and pharmaceutical products with a volume of €17.2 billion. That accounts for more than one-quarter of total exports in Hessen.

It is followed by products from the mechanical engineering and vehicle sectors, as well as electro-technology. They are also the most important import products with a value of €47 billion.

Foreign Trade With EU Leads the Way,
Asian Trade Gaining Importance

In 2017, 11.3 % of Hessen's exports were destined for the USA, while 9.5 % of their imports came from America. Trade with China was ranked second, with a share of  5.9 % followed by 7.7 % from France and 7.3 % from the Netherlands as well as the United Kingdom with 6.5 %.

Trade with Asia has been growing fast, in particular with China, which is now Hessen's second most important trading partner. The vast majority of trade is derived from European partners, in part with high growth rates. In 2017, 66 % of Hessen's exports were destined for Europe while 58.5 % of all imports also came from European partners.

• Automotive products lead imports
• Chemical and pharmaceutical lead by exports

• Major trading partners:
  Import: China (11.9 %), USA (9.5 %), Russia (6.8 %), Netherlands (6.2 %)
  Export: USA (11.3 %), France (7.7 %), UK (8.1 %), Netherlands (7.3 %)