German exports posted a highest monthly figure ever recorded in March, powered by strong demand from nations outside Europe, official figures showed on Wednesday.

The Wiesbaden-based Federal Statistical Office said that Germany exported commodities worth of 98.9 billion euros (128.6 billion U.S. dollars) in March, up 0.9 percent from February upon calendar and seasonal adjustment, beating previous figures ever recorded in March and defying expert's previous expectation.

It added new signs that the Europe's largest economy still keeps a distance from the eurozone debt crisis.

This is the third monthly increase of the country's exports, which jumped 0.7 percent compared with March 2011. The consecutive gains made German exports up 5.8 percent in the first quarter, compared to the same period last year.

The office said that exports to countries outside the EU jumped 6.1 percent on a yearly basis, amounting to 41.9 billion euros, while dispatches to the EU countries declined 2.8 percent.

Experts said that strong demands from third countries, such China and the United States, played a vital role in keep roaring the country's key economic engine. From January to March, exports to non-European states recorded a stunning 11.2-percent increase.

Meanwhile, imports also climbed to a record monthly high, totaling up to 81.5 billion euros, up 2.6 percent from the same month last year, the office said.

Data showed that Germany is expanding its imports from European nations. In the first quarter, imports from the EU member states jumped 5.0 percent from the same period of last year.

With healthy exports, record-low unemployment and solid business confidence, the German economy has shrugged off dark clouds of possible stagnation or technical recession following a 0.2-percent contraction in the fourth quarter.

Exports said a modest upswing is expected in the first quarter from Germany, making sharp contrast to other eurozone countries such as debt-laden Spain and Italy.

On Tuesday, official data showed German industrial output rose by unexpected 2.8 percent in March from previous month. (1 euro = 1.30 U.S. dollars)