Wiesbaden, Germany - German exports slumped in March, hit by a strong euro and a slowing global economy, according to official figures released on Thursday.

Germany exported goods worth 84 billion euros (129 billion dollars) in March, a drop of 0.5 per cent from the previous month, the Federal Office of Statistics said.

Imports during the same period amounted to 67.3 billion euros, an increase of 0.8 per cent, the figures showed.

On an annual basis, exports were up 0.2 per cent from March 2007, while imports grew 3.3 per cent, a sign of strong domestic demand.

The trade surplus for the month slumped to 16.7 billion euros from 18.7 billion euros a year ago, the statistics office said.

Exports to the European Union amounted to 54.8 billion euros, a drop of 1.5 per cent from a year ago. (dpa)