Berlin  - Despite a surging euro, German exports bounded ahead more than forecast in April, the nation's statistics office said Monday.

Strong demand from Germany's trading partners outside the European Union resulted in exports rising by 1.2 per cent in April to produce a solid year-on-year increase of
13.9 per cent, the figures showed.

Economists had forecast a more modest 0.5 per cent month-on-month gain.

The figures underscore the key role that exports are continuing to play in underpinning German growth at the start of the second quarter with imports to the country sinking by 2.1 per cent. (dpa)