French Trade Deficit Narrows in October as Exports Jump

The French trade deficit decreased to EUR 4.1 billion in October 2018 from a downwardly revised EUR 5.4 billion in the previous month and below market consensus of a EUR 6.0 billion gap. Exports jumped 6.2 percent to an all-time high and imports climbed at a softer 2.5 percent, also reaching a record.
Ministère de l'Économie et des Finances | Joana Ferreira | joana.ferreira@tradingeconomics.com
12/7/2018 9:48:11 AM
Exports rose 6.2 percent from a month earlier to an all-time high of EUR 43.2 billion in October as sales increased mostly for aerospace industry products (7.4 percent), automotive industry products (2.7 percent), food products (3.1 percent), chemicals (8 percent) and industrial and agricultural machinery (2.3 percent).

Among major trading partners, exports grew mostly to the US (38.7 percent), Spain (4.4 percent), Italy (1.1 percent) and the UK (9.7 percent), but declined to Germany (-1.6 percent).

Imports increased 2.5 percent to a record EUR 47.3 billion in October, driven by purchases of automotive industry products (7.3 percent); industrial and agricultural machinery (4.1 percent); computer, electronic and optical products (4.9 percent); and chemicals (5.8 percent). Contrarily, imports of natural hydrocarbons, mining products, electricity dropped 7 percent. 

Among major trading partners, imports rose mainly from China & Hong Kong (9.5 percent) and Spain (10.5 percent), while there were falls from Germany (-1 percent) and Belgium (-2 percent). Imports from Italy were unchanged.

French Trade Deficit Narrows in October as Exports Jump



News

France Trade Gap Widens More Than Expected
France’s trade deficit widened to €5.8 billion in March 2026, from an upwardly revised €2.0 billion in February, and above the expected €2.4 billion. Exports fell 0.9% month-on-month to €51.0 billion, weighed down by lower shipments of agricultural products (-2.8%), mechanical and electrical equipment (-0.5%), and natural hydrocarbons (-25.7%), while gains were seen in refined petroleum (+15.8%) and other industrial products (+1.7%). By region, exports fell to Asia (-8.1%) and the European Union (-0.6%), but rose to Africa (+5.6%), the Americas (+6.4%), and the Middle East (+2.2%). Meanwhile, imports increased 5.0% to €58.5 billion, driven by higher purchases of mechanical and electrical equipment (+5.7%), transport equipment (+7.6%), and natural hydrocarbons (+23.1%), though refined petroleum imports fell (-5.4%). Imports grew from Africa (+10.0%), the Americas (+7.7%), Asia (+5.0%), while flows from the Middle East (+1.2%) and the EU (+3.3%) rose moderately.
Published on 2026-04-08

France Trade Gap Widens More Than Expected
France’s trade deficit widened to €5.8 billion in February 2026 from an upwardly revised €2.0 billion in February and above the expected €2.4 billion. Exports fell 0.9% month-on-month to €51.0 billion, weighed down by lower shipments of agricultural products (-2.8%), mechanical and electrical equipment (-0.5%), and natural hydrocarbons (-25.7%), while gains were seen in refined petroleum (+15.8%) and other industrial products (+1.7%). By region, exports fell to Asia (-8.1%) and the European Union (-0.6%), but rose to Africa (+5.6%), the Americas (+6.4%), and the Middle East (+2.2%). Meanwhile, imports increased 5.0% to €58.5 billion, driven by higher purchases of mechanical and electrical equipment (+5.7%), transport equipment (+7.6%), and natural hydrocarbons (+23.1%), though refined petroleum imports fell (-5.4%). Imports grew from Africa (+10.0%), the Americas (+7.7%), and Asia (+5.0%), while flows from the Middle East (+1.2%) and the EU (+3.3%) rose moderately.
Published on 2026-04-08

France Trade Gap Widens More Than Expected
France’s trade deficit widened to €5.8 billion in March 2026 from an upwardly revised €2.0 billion in February and above the expected €2.4 billion. Exports fell 0.9% month-on-month to €51.0 billion, weighed down by lower shipments of agricultural products (-2.8%), mechanical and electrical equipment (-0.5%), and natural hydrocarbons (-25.7%), while gains were seen in refined petroleum (+15.8%) and other industrial products (+1.7%). By region, exports fell to Asia (-8.1%) and the European Union (-0.6%), but rose to Africa (+5.6%), the Americas (+6.4%), and the Middle East (+2.2%). Meanwhile, imports increased 5.0% to €58.5 billion, driven by higher purchases of mechanical and electrical equipment (+5.7%), transport equipment (+7.6%), and natural hydrocarbons (+23.1%), though refined petroleum imports fell (-5.4%). Imports grew from Africa (+10.0%), the Americas (+7.7%), and Asia (+5.0%), while flows from the Middle East (+1.2%) and the EU (+3.3%) rose moderately.
Published on 2026-04-08

France Trade Gap Widens More Than Expected
France’s trade deficit widened to €5.8 billion in March 2026, from an upwardly revised €2.0 billion in February, and above the expected €2.4 billion. Exports fell 0.9% month-on-month to €51.0 billion, weighed down by lower shipments of agricultural products (-2.8%), mechanical and electrical equipment (-0.5%), and natural hydrocarbons (-25.7%), while gains were seen in refined petroleum (+15.8%) and other industrial products (+1.7%). By region, exports fell to Asia (-8.1%) and the European Union (-0.6%), but rose to Africa (+5.6%), the Americas (+6.4%), and the Middle East (+2.2%). Meanwhile, imports increased 5.0% to €58.5 billion, driven by higher purchases of mechanical and electrical equipment (+5.7%), transport equipment (+7.6%), and natural hydrocarbons (+23.1%), though refined petroleum imports fell (-5.4%). Imports grew from Africa (+10.0%), the Americas (+7.7%), Asia (+5.0%), while flows from the Middle East (+1.2%) and the EU (+3.3%) rose moderately.
Published on 2026-04-08

France Trade Gap Smallest Since 2009
France’s trade deficit narrowed sharply to €1.8 billion in January 2026, from a revised €4.3 billion in December and well below the expected €4.6 billion gap. This marked the smallest deficit since July 2009, as exports rose 0.7% month-on-month to €53.4 billion, supported by gains in transport equipment (+0.8%), natural hydrocarbons and electricity (+16.2%), and publishing and communication products (+43.3%). By region, exports increased to the European Union (+3.8%), Europe outside the EU (+0.2%), and the Americas (+0.2%), but declined to Asia (-5.8%), Africa (-5.1%), and the Middle East (-36.9%). Meanwhile, imports fell 3.6% to €55.3 billion, driven by lower purchases of transport equipment (-9.6%), natural hydrocarbons and electricity (-10.6%), and other industrial products (-2.2%). Purchases declined from most regions, including Asia (-6.7%), Europe outside the EU (-6.1%), the Americas (-3.9%), and Africa (-17.0%), while imports from the EU edged down slightly (-0.6%).
Published on 2026-03-10

France Trade Gap Smallest Since 2009
France’s trade deficit narrowed sharply to €1.8 billion in January 2026, from a revised €4.3 billion in December and well below the expected €4.6 billion gap. This marked the smallest deficit since July 2009, as exports rose 0.7% month-on-month to €53.4 billion, supported by gains in transport equipment (+0.8%), natural hydrocarbons and electricity (+16.2%), and publishing and communication products (+43.3%). By region, exports increased to the European Union (+3.8%), Europe outside the EU (+0.2%), and the Americas (+0.2%), but declined to Asia (-5.8%), Africa (-5.1%), and the Middle East (-36.9%). Meanwhile, imports fell 3.6% to €55.3 billion, driven by lower purchases of transport equipment (-9.6%), natural hydrocarbons and electricity (-10.6%), and other industrial products (-2.2%). Purchases declined from most regions, including Asia (-6.7%), Europe outside the EU (-6.1%), the Americas (-3.9%), and Africa (-17.0%), while imports from the EU edged down slightly (-0.6%).
Published on 2026-03-10

France Trade Gap Broadens in December
France’s trade deficit widened to €4.8 billion in December 2025 from a revised €4.0 billion in November. Imports rose 3.0% month-on-month to €57.9 billion, led by transport equipment (+10.3%), mechanical and electronic equipment (+2.1%), and refined petroleum products (+8.0%). By region, imports increased from the Middle East (+24.6%), Asia (+8.6%), the Americas (+5.6%), and the EU (+0.3%), but fell from Africa (-4.1%). Meanwhile, exports grew 1.8% to €53.1 billion, supported by mechanical and electronic equipment (+6.3%), agri-food products (+2.4%), and natural hydrocarbons (+11.1%), partially offset by declines in refined petroleum products (-10.2%), transport equipment (-2.2%), and agricultural products (-2.5%). Regionally, exports rose to the Middle East (+27.1%) and Asia (+12.1%), but fell to the Americas (-3.8%), Africa (-3.3%), and the EU (-0.4%). For the full year, the trade gap narrowed slightly to €69.6 billion from €79.0 billion in 2024.
Published on 2026-02-06

France Trade Gap Broadens in December
France’s trade deficit widened to €4.8 billion in December 2025 from a revised €4.0 billion in November. Imports rose 3.0% month-on-month to €57.9 billion, led by transport equipment (+10.3%), mechanical and electronic equipment (+2.1%), and refined petroleum products (+8.0%). By region, imports increased from the Middle East (+24.6%), Asia (+8.6%), the Americas (+5.6%), and the EU (+0.3%), but fell from Africa (-4.1%). Meanwhile, exports grew 1.8% to €53.1 billion, supported by mechanical and electronic equipment (+6.3%), agri-food products (+2.4%), and natural hydrocarbons (+11.1%), partially offset by declines in refined petroleum products (-10.2%), transport equipment (-2.2%), and agricultural products (-2.5%). Regionally, exports rose to the Middle East (+27.1%) and Asia (+12.1%), but fell to the Americas (-3.8%), Africa (-3.3%), and the EU (-0.4%). For the full year, the trade gap narrowed slightly to €69.6 billion from €79.0 billion in 2024.
Published on 2026-02-06

France Trade Deficit Widens in December
France’s trade deficit widened to €4.2 billion in December 2025 from a revised €3.5 billion in November, in line with expectations. Imports rose 2% month-on-month to €56.4 billion, led by agricultural products (+10.0%), mechanical equipment (+2.7%), and other industrial products (+1.8%). By region, imports increased from Africa (+32.5%), the Middle East (+14.4%), and Asia (+2.6%), but fell from the Americas (-0.7%) and the EU (-0.2%). Meanwhile, exports grew more moderately by 0.8% to €52.2 billion, supported by stronger sales of agricultural products (+2.3%), mechanical and electronic equipment (+1.3%), and transport equipment (+0.3%). These were partially offset by declines in shipments of refined petroleum products (-12.3%), agri-food products (-0.3%), and publishing and communication products (-2.7%). Regionally, exports rose to the EU (+2.9%), Africa (+3.6%), and the Americas (+12.0%), but fell to the Middle East (-28.6%) and Asia (-3.0%).
Published on 2026-01-08

France Trade Deficit Widens in November
France’s trade deficit widened to €4.2 billion in November 2025 from a revised €3.5 billion in November, in line with expectations. Imports rose 2% month-on-month to €56.4 billion, led by agricultural products (+10.0%), mechanical equipment (+2.7%), and other industrial products (+1.8%). By region, imports increased from Africa (+32.5%), the Middle East (+14.4%), and Asia (+2.6%), but fell from the Americas (-0.7%) and the EU (-0.2%). Meanwhile, exports grew more moderately by 0.8% to €52.2 billion, supported by stronger sales of agricultural products (+2.3%), mechanical and electronic equipment (+1.3%), and transport equipment (+0.3%). These were partially offset by declines in shipments of refined petroleum products (-12.3%), agri-food products (-0.3%), and publishing and communication products (-2.7%). Regionally, exports rose to the EU (+2.9%), Africa (+3.6%), and the Americas (+12.0%), but fell to the Middle East (-28.6%) and Asia (-3.0%).
Published on 2026-01-08

France Trade Gap Smallest in 10 Months
France’s trade deficit narrowed sharply to €3.9 billion in October 2025 from €6.4 billion in September, well below expectations of €6.8 billion and marking the smallest gap since December 2024. Exports slipped 0.5% month-on-month to €51.7 billion, weighed down by lower sales of agricultural and aquaculture products (-3.0%), mechanical and electronic equipment (-3.8%), and other industrial goods (-1.8%). By region, exports fell to the EU (-4.9%), the Americas (-6.4%), and Africa (-1.8%), while shipments surged to the Middle East (+65.5%) and Asia (+6.2%). Meanwhile, imports declined at a faster 4.6% to €55.6 billion, with broad-based drops across most categories, including natural hydrocarbons (-23.8%), agricultural products (-7.5%), transport equipment (-3.8%), and refined petroleum (-3.1%). Regionally, imports decreased across all major partners, the EU (-3.6%), Africa (-2.1%), the Americas (-10.1%), Asia (-4.5%), and the Middle East (-14.5%).
Published on 2025-12-05

France Trade Gap Smallest in 10 Months
France’s trade deficit narrowed sharply to €3.9 billion in October 2025 from €6.4 billion in September, well below expectations of €6.8 billion and marking the smallest gap since December 2024. Exports slipped 0.5% month-on-month to €51.7 billion, weighed down by lower sales of agricultural and aquaculture products (-3.0%), mechanical and electronic equipment (-3.8%), and other industrial goods (-1.8%). By region, exports fell to the EU (-4.9%), the Americas (-6.4%), and Africa (-1.8%), while shipments surged to the Middle East (+65.5%) and Asia (+6.2%). Meanwhile, imports declined at a faster 4.6% to a four-year low of €55.6 billion, with broad-based drops across most categories, including natural hydrocarbons (-23.8%), agricultural products (-7.5%), transport equipment (-3.8%), and refined petroleum (-3.1%). Regionally, imports decreased across all major partners, the EU (-3.6%), Africa (-2.1%), the Americas (-10.1%), Asia (-4.5%), and the Middle East (-14.5%).
Published on 2025-12-05

France Trade Gap Widens Beyond Expectations
France's trade deficit widened to €6.6 billion in September 2025, the largest in three months, from €5.2 billion in August and above forecasts of €5.9 billion. Exports grew only 0.1% from a month earlier to €51.9 billion, as gains in refined petroleum products (+19.0%), mechanical equipment (+6.1%), and agricultural products (+1.6%) were almost entirely offset by declines in transport equipment (-8.6%) and natural hydrocarbons (-20.9%). By region, exports increased to the EU (+4.1%) and Asia (+0.9%), while shipments to the Middle East (-22.5%) and the Americas (-1.2%) fell, the latter affected by US tariffs. Meanwhile, imports advanced 2.5% to €58.5 billion, driven by natural hydrocarbons (+14.5%), mechanical equipment (+3.8%), and refined petroleum (+3.2%), while purchases of agricultural products (-2.6%) and transport equipment (-2.7%) declined. Regionally, imports expanded from Asia (+5.5%) and the Americas (+3.9%) but fell from Africa (-14.1%) and the Middle East (-0.1%).
Published on 2025-11-07

France Trade Gap Widens Beyond Expectations
France's trade deficit widened to €6.6 billion in September 2025, the largest in three months, from €5.2 billion in August and above forecasts of €5.9 billion. Exports grew only 0.1% from a month earlier to €51.9 billion, as gains in refined petroleum products (+19.0%), mechanical equipment (+6.1%), and agricultural products (+1.6%) were almost entirely offset by declines in transport equipment (-8.6%) and natural hydrocarbons (-20.9%). By region, exports increased to the EU (+4.1%) and Asia (+0.9%), while shipments to the Middle East (-22.5%) and the Americas (-1.2%) fell, the latter affected by US tariffs. Meanwhile, imports advanced 2.5% to €58.5 billion, driven by natural hydrocarbons (+14.5%), mechanical equipment (+3.8%), and refined petroleum (+3.2%), while purchases of agricultural products (-2.6%) and transport equipment (-2.7%) declined. Regionally, imports expanded from Asia (+5.5%) and the Americas (+3.9%) but fell from Africa (-14.1%) and the Middle East (-0.1%).
Published on 2025-11-07

France Posts Smallest Trade Deficit in 8 Months
France’s trade deficit narrowed to €5.5 billion in August 2025 from a revised €5.7 billion in July, but above expectations of a €5.2 billion gap. This marks the smallest figure since December 2024. Exports were stable at €51.8 billion, as gains in transport equipment (+4.9%) and agricultural products (+0.5%) were offset by declines in refined petroleum products (-8.8%), art and antiques (-53.1%), and other industrial products (-1.4%). By region, exports rose to Africa (+8.3%), America (+4.9%), and the Middle East (+5.0%), while shipments to Asia (-12.6%) and the EU (-1.0%) declined. Meanwhile, imports fell 0.4% to €57.3 billion, driven by lower purchases of mechanical, electrical, and computer equipment (-1.1%) and refined petroleum products (-7.6%), partially offset by higher shipments of agricultural products (+3.7%) and other industrial products (+1.3%). Imports climbed from Africa (+11.8%) but fell from Asia (-3.5%) and the Middle East (-25.3%), with EU arrivals up 1.1%.
Published on 2025-10-07

France Trade Deficit Lowest in 8 Months
France’s trade deficit narrowed to €5.5 billion in August 2025 from a revised €5.7 billion in July, but above expectations of a €5.2 billion gap. This marks the smallest figure since December 2024. Exports were stable at €51.8 billion, as gains in transport equipment (+4.9%) and agricultural products (+0.5%) were offset by declines in refined petroleum products (-8.8%), art and antiques (-53.1%), and other industrial products (-1.4%). By region, exports rose to Africa (+8.3%), America (+4.9%), and the Middle East (+5.0%), while shipments to Asia (-12.6%) and the EU (-1.0%) declined. Meanwhile, imports fell 0.4% to €57.3 billion, driven by lower purchases of mechanical, electrical, and computer equipment (-1.1%) and refined petroleum products (-7.6%), partially offset by higher shipments of agricultural products (+3.7%) and other industrial products (+1.3%). Imports climbed from Africa (+11.8%) but fell from Asia (-3.5%) and the Middle East (-25.3%), with EU arrivals up 1.1%.
Published on 2025-10-07

France Posts Smallest Trade Deficit in 8 Months
France’s trade deficit narrowed to €5.5 billion in September 2025 from a revised €5.7 billion in August, but above expectations of a €5.2 billion gap. This marks the smallest figure since December 2024. Exports were stable at €51.8 billion, as gains in transport equipment (+4.9%) and agricultural products (+0.5%) were offset by declines in refined petroleum products (-8.8%), art and antiques (-53.1%), and other industrial products (-1.4%). By region, exports rose to Africa (+8.3%), America (+4.9%), and the Middle East (+5.0%), while shipments to Asia (-12.6%) and the EU (-1.0%) declined. Meanwhile, imports fell 0.4% to €57.3 billion, driven by lower purchases of mechanical, electrical, and computer equipment (-1.1%) and refined petroleum products (-7.6%), partially offset by higher shipments of agricultural products (+3.7%) and other industrial products (+1.3%). Imports climbed from Africa (+11.8%) but fell from Asia (-3.5%) and the Middle East (-25.3%), with EU arrivals up 1.1%.
Published on 2025-10-07

France Trade Gap Smallest in 7 Months
France’s trade deficit narrowed to €5.6 billion in August 2025 from a revised €7.2 billion in July, below expectations of a €6.1 billion deficit. This marks the smallest gap since December 2024, as exports rose 2.6% month-over-month to €52.1 billion, driven by higher sales of refined petroleum products and coke (+17.2%), transport equipment (+9.4%), natural hydrocarbons (+22.3%), and publishing and communication products (+9.8%). By region, exports increased to Africa (+6.0%), the Middle East (+11.5%), and Asia (+18.8%), while shipments to the EU edged higher (+0.8%). In contrast, exports to America fell (-7.7%), partly reflecting the 15% US tariffs on EU goods. Meanwhile, imports slipped 0.5% to €57.7 billion, weighed down by lower purchases of agri-food products (-1.1%), mechanical and electronic equipment (-3.6%), and art and antiques (-35.9%). Regionally, imports declined from Africa (-12.8%), America (-3.7%), and Asia (-1.3%), though arrivals from the Middle East surged (+66.3%).
Published on 2025-09-05

France Trade Gap Smallest in 7 Months
France’s trade deficit narrowed to €5.6 billion in August 2025 from a revised €7.2 billion in July, below expectations of a €6.1 billion deficit. This marks the smallest gap since December 2024, as exports rose 2.6% month-over-month to €52.1 billion, driven by higher sales of refined petroleum products and coke (+17.2%), transport equipment (+9.4%), natural hydrocarbons (+22.3%), and publishing and communication products (+9.8%). By region, exports increased to Africa (+6.0%), the Middle East (+11.5%), and Asia (+18.8%), while shipments to the EU edged higher (+0.8%). In contrast, exports to America fell (-7.7%), partly reflecting the 15% US tariffs on EU goods. Meanwhile, imports slipped 0.5% to €57.7 billion, weighed down by lower purchases of agri-food products (-1.1%), mechanical and electronic equipment (-3.6%), and art and antiques (-35.9%). Regionally, imports declined from Africa (-12.8%), America (-3.7%), and Asia (-1.3%), though arrivals from the Middle East surged (+66.3%).
Published on 2025-09-05

France Trade Deficit Steady in June
France’s trade deficit stood at €7.6 billion in June 2025, unchanged from May’s eight-month high and slightly above market expectations of €7.5 billion. Exports rose by 3.4% month-over-month to €50.6 billion, driven by higher sales of refined petroleum products and coke (+10.3%), transport equipment (+7.9%), and natural hydrocarbons (+5.7%). By region, exports increased to the EU (+3.5%), Middle East (+2.8%), and Asia (+8.3%). Shipments to the Americas also rose 6.3%, ahead of upcoming US tariffs on EU goods. Meanwhile, imports grew by 2.9% to €58.3 billion, mainly due to higher purchases of natural hydrocarbons (+5.3%), mechanical, electrical, electronic, and computer equipment (+3.7%), and other industrial products (+3.5%). Regionally, imports rose from the EU (+2.9%), Americas (+5.9%), and Asia (+0.6%). Notably, arrivals plummeted from the Middle East (-26.7%), and to a lesser extent, from Africa (-6.1%).
Published on 2025-08-07