FX.co ★ France Trade Deficit Largest in 7 Months

France's trade deficit expanded to €8 billion in April 2025, up from a revised figure of €6.3 billion in March, surpassing market predictions of a €6 billion gap. This represents the most significant trade deficit since last September. Exports experienced a decline of 5.9% month-over-month, totaling €49.3 billion, driven by a notable drop in sales of refined petroleum products and coke by 17.6%, along with transport equipment down by 17.4%. Exports saw a decrease across most regions, including the EU (-3.2%), Africa (-1.9%), the Americas (-5.3%), and Asia (-5.4%), although there was an increase in exports to the Middle East (+4%). In contrast, imports decreased more moderately by 2.4%, amounting to €57.2 billion, primarily due to reduced purchases of natural hydrocarbons, which fell by 20.8%, and refined petroleum products and coke, which decreased by 11.3%. Regionally, imports saw declines from the EU (-0.6%), Africa (-10.8%), the Middle East (-1.3%), and Asia (-4.1%), while imports from the Americas increased by 1.9%.