News

France Posts Largest Trade Gap in 8 Months
France's trade deficit widened to EUR 6.24 billion in April 2021, from a revised EUR 6.14 billion in the previous month. It was the largest gap since August 2020, as both imports and exports rose 1.6 percent to their highest levels since February 2020. Imports were up for transport equipment (1.7 percent), mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic and computer equipment (1.4 percent), and natural hydrocarbons, other products of mining, electricity, waste (3.3 percent). Meanwhile, purchases of food industry products were down 0.7 percent. Purchases rose from the EU, America and Asia. Exports increased for transport equipment (11.0 percent) and food industry products (1.1 percent), but declined for mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic and computer equipment (-1.0 percent) and other industrial products (-0.6 percent). Sales were mostly up to Asia.
Published on 2021-06-08

French Trade Gap Rises in March
The trade gap in France widened to EUR 6.1 billion in March of 2021 from a downwardly revised EUR 5.1 billion in February, the highest shortfall in 7 months. Exports were up 2.6 percent to EUR 39.9 billion and imports soared 5.4 percent to EUR 46.1 billion, the highest since February of 2020. Considering January to March 2021, the trade gap increased to EUR 15.4 billion as exports rose 1.8 percent and imports increased at a faster 3.7 percent, due to higher oil prices and lower sales of aeronautical and automotive products. Exports and imports were still at 93% and 94% respectively of their average quarterly value for 2019.
Published on 2021-05-07

France Trade Gap at 5-Month High
The trade deficit in France widened to EUR 5.25 billion in February of 2020 from an upwardly revised EUR 4.2 billion gap in January. It is the biggest deficit in five months, with both exports and imports at 93% of their average level in 2019. Compared with January, exports were down 3 percent to EUR 38.7 billion, mainly due to sales of capital and consumer goods and imports declined 0.5 percent to EUR 43.9 billion, with a small fall seen in purchases of consumer goods. Exports to Britain jumped 4 percent but were still at only 84 percent of the monthly average of the second half of 2020 while imports from Britain jumped 27 percent, returning to a level very close to the monthly average during the second half of 2020.
Published on 2021-04-08

France Trade Deficit Widens Slightly
French trade gap widened too EUR 3.95 billion in January of 2021 from EUR 3.57 billion in December. Exports went up 2.8 percent to EUR 40.27 billion, the highest reading since February of 2020 and standing at 94 percent of their average levels in 2019. Imports surged 3.5 percent to EUR 44.17 billion, also the highest since February of 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic and at 92 percent of 2019 average. In January, the energy deficit has remained at a historically low level of EUR 2.1 billion. Trade with the UK was disrupted due to Brexit. Exports fell to 87 percent of their average level in the second half of 2020 and imports fell even more sharply and stood at 80 percent.
Published on 2021-03-05

France Trade Deficit Lowest in 9 Months
The trade gap in France narrowed to EUR 3.4 billion in December of 2020, the lowest since March, from EUR 3.8 billion in November. Imports fell 1% to EUR 42.6 billion, amid reduced purchases of automotive products (-8.9%) and aerospace products (-16.2%); mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic & computers (-0.7%) and natural hydrocarbons and other products of mining (-18.3%). Among major trade partners, imports decreased mostly from Germany (-3.1%), China (-2.5%) and the US (-9%). Meanwhile, exports dropped just 0.1% to EUR 39.3 billion, as lower sales of mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic & computers (-2.7%), agricultural goods (-6.3%) and coke & refined petroleum products (-10.4%) were partly offset by stronger shipments of aerospace products (23.7%). Shipments fell mainly to Germany (-11.7%) and the US (-4.4%). In 2020, the country's trade gap widened to EUR 65.2 million from EUR 57.9 million, with exports and imports falling 15.9% and 13%, respectively.
Published on 2021-02-05

France Trade Deficit Lowest in 8 Months
The trade gap in France narrowed sharply to EUR 3.6 billion in November of 2020 from EUR 4.6 billion in October, reaching the lowest deficit since March. Exports increased by 1 percent to EUR 39.3 billion supported by intermediate (5.9 percent) and consumption goods (8.6 percent). Meanwhile, imports fell by 1.6 percent to EUR 42.8 billion due to investment (-2 percent) and consumption goods (-4 percent). So far, exports are around 92 percent of their average level in 2019 and imports are at 91 percent.
Published on 2021-01-08

French Trade Deficit Smallest in 7 Months
The trade gap in France shrank to EUR 4.85 billion in October 2020 from EUR 5.59 billion in September. It was the smallest trade deficit since March, as exports rose 3.3% month-over-month to EUR 38.9 billion and are now at 91% of their 2019 average level. Sales rose mostly for transport equipment (+11.2 percent); mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic and computer equipment (+3.3 percent) and products of the food industry (+2.9 percent). Meanwhile, imports advanced just 1.2% to EUR 43.7 billion and remained at 92% of their 2019 average level. Higher purchases of other industrial products (+0.5 percent); mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic and computer equipment (+2.2 percent) and transport equipment (+3.5 percent) were offset by declines in those of products of the food industry (-1.2 percent) and natural hydrocarbons, other products of mining, electricity, waste (-8.4 percent).
Published on 2020-12-08

French Trade Deficit Smaller than Expected
The trade gap in France shrank to EUR 5.8 billion in September of 2020 from EUR 7.7 billion in August and compared with market expectations of a EUR 6.3 billion shortfall. It was the smallest trade deficit in five months, as exports rose 6.2% month-over-month to EUR 37.6 billion and are now at 88% of their 2019 average level. Sales rose mostly for transport equipment (20.5%), namely aeronautical and automotive products; and other products (7.2%) including pharmaceuticals and metallurgical products. Meanwhile, imports advanced just 0.6% to EUR 43.3 billion and remained at 91% of their 2019 average level. Higher purchases of transport equipment (9.4%) of which aeronautical products and natural hydrocarbons, other products of mining, electricity, waste (7.1%) were offset by declines in those of coke & refined petroleum products (-18.6%). In the Q3 of 2020, the country's trade gap stood at EUR 20.5 billion, as trade flows have resumed sharply without however returning to pre-crisis levels.
Published on 2020-11-06

France Trade Deficit at Near Record High in August
The trade gap in France widened to EUR 7.7 billion in August of 2020 from EUR 7 billion in June and close to a record high of EUR 8.1 billion in June. Exports went down 0.6 percent to EUR 35.4 billion and imports jumped 1.1 percent to EUR 43.1 billion, the highest since February. Exports remain 17 percent below their levels in 2019 while imports are now at 91 percent of their average level of 2019.
Published on 2020-10-07

France Trade Deficit Falls in July
The trade gap in France narrowed to EUR 6.99 billion in July of 2020 from an upwardly revised EUR 8 billion in June. Exports went up 9.6 percent over the previous month to EUR 35.5 billion and are now at 83% of their 2019 average level. Sales rose mainly for investment goods (21.3 percent), namely aeronautical equipment, telephones and communication equipment and auto products. Shipments also increased for intermediate (4.3 percent) and consumption (3.7 percent) goods. Imports increased 4.9 percent to EUR 42.5 billion and are at 90% of their 2019 average level. Purchases went up for investment (10.6 percent) and intermediate (5.7 percent) but stalled for consumption.
Published on 2020-09-08

France Posts Widest Trade Gap on Record
The trade deficit in France widened to EUR 8 billion in June of 2020 from an upwardly revised EUR 7.5 billion in May. It was the highest trade gap on record, as both exports and imports extended their recovery that began in May, after strong declines in April and March due to the coronavirus lockdown. Imports advanced 14.8 percent to EUR 40.4 billion, mainly due to purchases of automobiles and auto parts; mechanical, electrical & electronic equipment and coke & refined petroleum products. Exports rose 16.9 percent to EUR 32.4 billion, boosted by sales of automobiles and auto parts; chemicals, perfums & cosmetics; and food products. The trade gap with the European Union widened by EUR 0.67 billion to EUR 4.27 billion and the deficit with Asia went down by EUR 0.1 billion to EUR 4.98 billion.
Published on 2020-08-07

French Trade Gap Widens as Imports and Exports Rebound
The trade gap in France widened sharply to EUR 7.05 billion in May of 2020 from an upwardly revised EUR 5.1 billion in April. It is the highest gap since a record of EUR 7.37 billion in January of 2017, as both exports and imports rebounded after a big fall in April and March due to the coronavirus lockdown. Imports jumped 20.5 percent to EUR 34.7 billion, mainly due to purchases of autos and parts, phones, communication equipment and masks and exports increased 16.9 percent to EUR 27.7 billion. The trade gap with the European Union widened by EUR 0.89 billion to EUR 3.47 billion and the deficit with Asia increased by EUR 1.64 billion from EUR 5.08 billion.
Published on 2020-07-07

France Trade Gap Rises in April as Exports Plunge
The trade deficit in France widened sharply to €5 billion in April of 2020 from a downwardly revised €3.2 billion gap in the previous month which was the lowest since December of 2016 and slightly above market forecasts of €4.67 billion. Both exports and imports plunged after a coronavirus lockdown was implemented in the country from March 14th and nonessential businesses had to close. Exports slumped 32.4% to €23.7 billion, the lowest since since August of 1999, mainly due to automotive products and pharmaceuticals. Imports plunged 25% to €28.7 billion, the lowest reading since May of 2004. The energy deficit narrowed to €1.6 billion, due to lower supplies of refined oil.
Published on 2020-06-09

French Trade Gap Lowest since 2016
The trade deficit in France narrowed to €3.3 billion in March of 2020 from a downwardly revised €5 billion in the previous month. It is the lowest trade gap since December of 2016 as the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown restrictions pushed both imports and exports down. Imports plunged 18.5% to €38.54 billion, the lowest since October of 2010 mainly due to a 14.6% drop in industrial purchases and an 18% fall in imports of mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment. Purchases from the EU went down 19.4%. Exports plunged 16.7% to €35.19 billion, the lowest since July of 2011, also due to lower sales of industrial products (-8.4%), transport equipment (-32%) and mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment (-18.3%). Shipments to the EU dropped 18.6%. Considering Q1, exports went down 7.3% and imports 6.2%, widening the trade gap to €14.5 billion.
Published on 2020-05-07

French Trade Gap Narrows in February
France's trade deficit narrowed to EUR 5.2 billion in February 2020 from a revised EUR 6.0 billion in the previous month and compared to market expectations of a EUR 4.93 billion gap. Exports jumped 5.1 percent boosted by sales of transport equipment, mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic & IT equipment, and food industry products. Among key trade partners, exports were up to the EU (5.8 percent), Africa (19.9 percent), America (1.1 percent) and the Middle East (24.1 percent), but declined to Asia (-8.6 percent). Meanwhile, imports advanced at a softer 2.8 percent, boosted by purchases of transport equipment, mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic & IT equipment, coke & refined petroleum products, food industry products and natural hydrocarbons, other products of the extraction industries, electricity, waste. Imports were up from the EU (1.6 percent), Africa (18.9 percent) and Asia (4.1 percent), but dropped from America (-0.2 percent).
Published on 2020-04-07

France Posts Largest Trade Gap since 2018
France's trade deficit widened to EUR 5.89 billion in January of 2020 from a downwardly revised EUR 3.72 billion in the prior month. This was the widest monthly trade shortfall since August 2018, as exports declined 4% over a month earlier to a near two-year low of EUR 40.34 billion, amid lower sales of aerospace products (-29%); automotive products (-4.2%); IT, electronic and optical products (-5.4 percent) and refined petroleum products & coke (-11.1%). Among major trade partners, shipments fell mostly to Germany (-12%), China (-19.6%) and the US (-5%). Conversely, imports rose 1.1% to EUR 46.23 billion, driven by acquisitions of metallurgical and metallic products (6.6%); pharmaceutical products (19%); IT, electronic and optical products (2.8%); food (1.5 percent); refined petroleum products & coke (25%) and agricultural products (2.9%). Among major trade partners, purchases rose primarily from Italy (1%), China (0.8%), ASEAN countries (1.5%) and the US (2.6%).
Published on 2020-03-06

French Trade Gap Narrows in December
France's trade deficit narrowed to EUR 4.05 billion in December 2019 from a downwardly revised EUR 5.38 billion in the previous month and compared to market consensus of a EUR 5 billion gap. Exports fell 0.6 percent over a month earlier to EUR 41.9 billion, mainly due to lower sales of food products (-1.6%); refined petroleum products & coke (-12%); mechanical equipment & electrical (-2.5%); other industrial products (-1.8%); and agricultural products (-0.6 %). Exports were down to Africa (-13.6%) and Asia (-3%). Imports dropped 3.3 percent to EUR 46 billion, mostly due to purchases of mechanical equipment & electrical (-4.3%); food (-1.6%); agricultural products (-0.6%); other industrial products (-4.1%); and natural hydrocarbons, other products of the extractive industries, electricity, waste (-8.2%). Imports fell from the EU (-2.3%), Africa (-4.6%) and Asia (-3.3%). Considering 2019 as a whole, the country recorded a trade shortfall of EUR 58.91 billion.
Published on 2020-02-07

French Trade Deficit Largest in 5 Months
France's trade deficit widened to EUR 5.58 billion in November 2019 from a revised EUR 4.91 billion in the previous month, compared to market expectations of a EUR 5.0 billion gap. Exports dropped 2.2 percent due to sales of transport equipment (-8.2 percent), food products (-1 percent), and natural hydrocarbons, other products of the extractive industries, electricity, waste (-14.0 percent). On the other hand, exports rose for mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic and computer equipment (1.6 percent) and agricultural products (1.3 percent). Exports were down to the EU (-0.3 percent), Asia (-7.0 percent) and America (-5.8 percent). Meanwhile, imports declined at a softer 0.6 percent, led by purchases of transport equipment (-2.7 percent), mechanical equipment, electrical, electronic and computer equipment (-1.7 percent), food products (-1.4 percent) and agricultural products (-1.2 percent). Imports fell from the EU (-1.8 percent), Africa (-2.5 percent), and Asia (-1.7 percent).
Published on 2020-01-08

France Posts Smallest Trade Gap in 5 Months
The French trade deficit shrank to EUR 4.73 billion in October 2019 from a downwardly revised EUR 5.42 billion in the previous month and slightly below market expectations of a EUR 4.8 billion gap. This was the smallest trade gap since May, as exports rose 3.4 percent month-over-month to EUR 43.0 billion while imports went up at a softer 1.5 percent to EUR 47.7 billion.
Published on 2019-12-06

French Trade Gap Widens as Exports Fall
The French trade deficit widened to EUR 5.55 billion in September 2019 from an upwardly revised EUR 5.44 billion in the previous month and compared with market expectations of a EUR 4.8 billion gap. Exports fell 2.3 percent month-over-month to EUR 41.7 billion while imports dropped at a softer 1.8 percent to EUR 47.28 billion. Considering the third quarter as a whole, the country’s trade gap was recorded at EUR 16 billion compared to a EUR 14.5 deficit in the previous period.
Published on 2019-11-08