FRANKFURT (AP) -- Germany's exports in March were down nearly 16 percent compared with year-ago levels as the recession bit into demand, preliminary figures showed.
The Wiesbaden-based Federal Statistical Office, or Destatis, said Friday the value of exported goods in March was euro70.3 billion ($94.2 billion) compared with nearly euro84 billion in March of 2008.
Germany, the world's biggest exporter and Europe's biggest economy, slipped into recession last year.
The office said Germany exported goods to European Union countries worth nearly euro45 billion in March, while it exported goods worth euro25 billion outside the European Union.
The preliminary figures did not specify what sectors were most affected, however they reflect an improvement in the trend. In January, exports were 23.2 percent lower and in February 23.5 percent lower.
