GERMANY'S export boom continued in the third quarter of this year, rising by 21.5 percent to 245 billion euros (US$322 billion) from 202 billion euros a year earlier, official figures showed yesterday.

A more detailed look at the data showed that trade with other European Union members rose by 16.5 percent and amounted to almost 60 percent of all exports between July and September, the Federal Statistical Office said. They totaled 144 billion euros.

But exports to countries outside the bloc recorded the strongest growth, with those to the United States up by 32 percent to 17 billion euros, and those to China rising 34 percent to 14 billion euros. Exports to Russia rose 42 percent to 7 billion euros.

France remains Germany's biggest single trading partner, with third-quarter exports up by 13 percent to 22 billion euros. Demand from Poland, in turn, surged 23 percent to 10 billion euros.

The data showed that total German exports in the year's first three quarters combined rose from 591 billion euros to 703 billion euros as demand for German goods increased amid a strengthening world economy.

Germany is the world's second-biggest exporter after China. Growing exports this year have been accompanied by signs of improving domestic demand at home.

Third-quarter imports also increased 24 percent on the year from 165 billion euros to 205 billion euros.