Schleswig-Holstein exports surge in first half of 2026

Companies in Schleswig-Holstein exported goods worth 14.1 billion euros worldwide in the first half of 2026, a 13.3% increase from the same period a year earlier, according to Statistikamt Nord.

Electricity exports rose 145.5%, while exports of petroleum products increased 77.7% and cheese exports climbed 53.8%. Watercraft exports also jumped, rising by 323.7 million euros, or 3,154.4%. Statisticians cautioned that this category depends heavily on individual orders and therefore fluctuates regularly.

The Netherlands ranked as Schleswig-Holstein's biggest export market, taking goods worth 1.2 billion euros. The United States and Denmark followed, each with 1.1 billion euros in goods. The state's export performance mirrored a broader German trend, with national exports rising for a fifth consecutive month in June to a record level.

Imports into Schleswig-Holstein moved in the opposite direction. They fell 8.7% to 15.2 billion euros, mainly because imports of pharmaceutical products dropped 38.2% and petroleum products declined 60.3%.

China supplied the largest share of imports, worth 1.9 billion euros, including office machinery, furniture and equipment for electricity generation and distribution. Denmark followed with 1.6 billion euros, while imports from the United States totaled 1.1 billion euros.