Statistics: Pharmaceuticals drive sharp rise in Hamburg exports

Hamburg exported goods worth 29.2 billion euros in the first half of 2026, a 9.3% increase from the same period a year earlier. The biggest change came in pharmaceuticals, whose exports jumped 315.1%, according to Statistikamt Nord.

The statistics office said the increase could reflect companies bringing shipments forward amid concerns that US President Donald Trump might impose tariffs on medicines. Hamburg also recorded stronger exports of mineral oil products, up 17.7%, and gold for commercial purposes, up 39.8%.

France remained the most important destination for goods from Hamburg, receiving exports worth 3.5 billion euros, mainly aircraft and aircraft parts. Austria followed with 2.4 billion euros, the United Kingdom with 2.2 billion euros and the United States with about 2 billion euros. Watercraft and aircraft made up much of the shipments to the United States.

Hamburg imports rose 15% to 43.8 billion euros. Aircraft and aircraft parts led the increase, rising 37.1%, while pharmaceutical imports climbed 261.1%. Imports of crude oil and natural gas increased 52.9%, and copper ore rose 43.8%. The United States was the largest source of imports at 5.8 billion euros, followed by France, China and the United Kingdom.