France Balance Commerciale

France’s trade deficit widened to €8 billion in April 2025 from an upwardly revised €6.3 billion in March, exceeding market expectations of a €6 billion gap. This marks the largest trade shortfall since last September, as exports dropped 5.9% month-over-month to €49.3 billion, weighed down by a sharp decline in sales of refined petroleum products and coke (-17.6%), as well as transport equipment (-17.4%). Exports fell across most regions, including the EU (-3.2%), Africa (-1.9%), the Americas (-5.3%), and Asia (-5.4%), while exports to the Middle East increased (+4%). Meanwhile, imports declined at a slower pace of 2.4% to €57.2 billion, due largely to reduced purchases of natural hydrocarbons (-20.8%) and refined petroleum products and coke (-11.3%). Regionally, imports fell from the EU (-0.6%), Africa (-10.8%), the Middle East (-1.3%), and Asia (-4.1%), while imports from the Americas rose (+1.9%).