FX.co ★ France Industrial Output Posts Surprise Fall

In May 2025, France experienced a 0.5% decline in industrial production compared to the previous month, failing to meet market expectations of a projected 0.3% increase. This downturn, however, marked an improvement over the 1.4% decrease reported in April. Manufacturing output continued its downward trend with a 1% drop, following a 0.7% fall the month before. Notably, sectors such as coke and refined petroleum products saw a significant decrease of 6.1%, compared to the previous 14.3% decline. The food and beverages sector also experienced a slight contraction, dipping by 0.6% after a 0.4% increase. The machinery and equipment sector, as well as other manufacturing areas, reported decreases of 0.8% and 1.4%, respectively, opposed to the prior month's drops of 2.2% and a rise of 0.4%. Conversely, there was a production resurgence in the arenas of mining and quarrying, energy, water supply, and waste management, registering a 2% increase, recovering from the previous month's 5% decline. Annually, industrial output in May was down by 0.8%.