Exports down 0.6 mm, twice as much as forecast
Imports post strongest mm fall since January

BERLIN, Dec 2 Reuters German exports fell more than forecast in October, official data showed on Friday, as high inflation and supply chain snags hit demand in key trading partners, further raising the spectre of recession for Europe39;s largest economy.

Exports declined by 0.6 on the month, twice as much as analysts predicted in a Reuters poll, the data from the Federal Statistics Office showed.

Germany39;s top export partner, the United States, saw the sharpest fall in German exports at 3.9, while exports to other European Union member states were down 2.4.

Imports posted their sharpest drop in October since January at 3.7, leading to a higher trade balance of 6.9 billion euros 7.3 billion. Imports had been forecast to drop 0.4.

The statistics office publishes a detailed table with more economic data.

Not only German consumers, but also the export industry is facing more difficult times, said DekaBank economist Andreas Scheurle, noting the world economy was cooling under the weight of higher prices and interest rates.

The German chambers of commerce and industry DIHK said last month Germany39;s exports were likely to fall 2 next year due to a sluggish global economy, with nearly half of German companies that sell abroad expecting an economic downturn.

Also last month, German industrial group Thyssenkrupp warned its sales and profit would nosedive next year as high…