Germany's exports ticked up in January on robust trade with China but imports sank as coronavirus shutdowns sapped consumer demand in Europe's top economy, official data showed Tuesday.

Exports rose 1.4 percent month-on-month in seasonally adjusted figures, federal statistics office Destatis said.

Imports slumped 4.7 percent, widening Germany's closely-watched trade surplus to 22.2 billion euros ($26.3 billion).

Compared with a year ago, before the pandemic ravaged the global economy, exports fell 8.0 percent in January and imports almost 10 percent.

"Consumer demand fell sharply in January due to a lack of opportunities" as the government kept non-essential shops, leisure and cultural centres closed to rein in the coronavirus, said LBBW bank economist Jens-Oliver Niklasch.

But demand for "made in Germany" goods was powered by vital trade partner China, which has recovered faster from the virus shock.

Exports to European Union countries plunged six percent year-on-year, while demand for EU goods within Germany was down by almost the same.

The Brexit fallout continued to hurt commerce with the United Kingdom, with Destatis recording a 29 percent plunge in German exports across the Channel.

Demand for UK goods in Germany collapsed by more than 56 percent.

Cross-Channel exporters have had to adapt to new customs requirements from January 1, following Britain's 2016 decision to leave the European Union.

Firms on both sides have since complained of increased bureaucracy and shipment delays as they grapple with the new rules.

"Foreign trade with Britain has collapsed," said Niklasch.

Combined with Germany's struggles to bring down Covid-19 infections despite months of shutdowns, "the January reading is not an indication of renewed German export strength, but rather an alarm bell for the first quarter."

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