BERLIN, July 4 (Reuters) - German exports fell slightly in May, decreasing by 0.5% on the previous month, while imports beat forecasts, rising by 2.7%, according to Federal Statistical Office data on Monday.
A Reuters poll had predicted a month-on-month rise in exports of 0.9%.
Exports from Germany to Russia grew by 29.4% in May compared with the previous month, the office said, after plummeting by 60% in March amid severe Western sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
In May, Germany had a seasonally adjusted trade deficit of 1 billion euros ($1.04 billion), the office reported, versus a forecast 2.7 billion euros. ($1 = 0.9300 euros) (Reporting by Miranda Murray; Editing by Maria Sheahan)
