German exports rose more than forecast in April, rising by 4.4 per cent on the previous month, while imports increased by 3.1 per cent, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office on Friday.

A Reuters poll had predicted a month-on-month rise in exports of 1.5 per cent.

Exports from Germany to Russia dropped in April by 10 per cent, after plummeting by 60 per cent in March amid severe Western sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, the office said.

In April, Germany had a seasonally adjusted trade surplus of 3.5 billion euros ($3.76 billion), the office reported, versus a forecast 1.6 billion euros.