Just under 20% of exports came from small and medium-sized enterprises in 2013

Large enterprises predominate in German trade in goods with foreign countries. In 2013, they accounted for 81% of German imports and 83% of exports. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) however played only a minor role. All categories of SMEs together accounted for just 20% of imports and 17% of exports in 2013.

Within the group of SMEs, middle-sized enterprises had the highest proportion of both imports and exports at 12% each. Small enterprises came second with 6% of imports and 4% of exports. The share of microenterprises engaged in German foreign trade was extremely small; they accounted for just 2% of imports and 1% of exports.

SMEs generated 85% of turnover in the economic sector of construction, accomodation and food services

Large enterprises have by far the largest turnover. In the reference year 2014, the turnover of SMEs amounted to less than one third of the total turnover in the economic sectors studied. With 48% for gross value added, 44% for gross investment in tangible goods and 45% for personnel costs, the relevant proportions of SMEs were smaller than those of large enterprises, too.

The economic importance of SMEs varies between the individual economic sectors. SMEs are of particular importance in construction and in the hotel and restaurant industry. In the reference year 2014, they generated 85% of turnover and their share in the persons employed was about 90%. In real estate activities and in some branches of services, SMEs are predominant, too. Contrary, the turnover of large enterprises in the total of enterprises is significant in manufacturing and in transport, storage and communication. The economic sector with the smallest proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises is that of energy supply, where SMEs accounted 3% of turnover and 13% of the persons employed in the reference year.