(Reuters) – German exports rose thanks to strong demand from countries outside the EU and industrial production rose more than expected in November, data from the statistics office showed on Thursday.

Exports increased by 2.1% in November compared with the previous month. The result compared with a 2.0% increase forecast in a Reuters poll.

While exports to EU countries dropped by 1.7% on the month, exports to countries outside of the EU increased by 6.9%.

Exports of goods to the United States were up 14.5% compared with October and exports to the U.K. rose by 8.6%, while exports to China decreased by 4.2%, data from the statistics office showed.

The foreign trade balance showed a surplus of 19.7 billion euros ($20.30 billion) in November, up from 13.4 billion euros in October.

Meanwhile, German industrial production rose by 1.5% in November compared to the previous month, the federal statistics office said on Thursday. Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted a 0.5% rise.

Industrial orders declined 5.4% in November from the previous month, the federal statistics office said on Wednesday, showing that demand remains weak.

($1 = 0.9706 euros)