France Balance Commerciale

The trade gap in France narrowed to €3.9 billion in December 2024, down from a revised €6.3 billion in November and below the expected €5.3 billion shortfall. This marks the smallest trade deficit since November 2020, as exports rose 4% month-on-month to €52.3 billion, driven by higher sales of transport equipment (+12.6%), refined petroleum products and coke (+5.2%), and mechanical, electrical, electronic, and computer equipment (+5%). Export growth was recorded across all regions, including the Middle East (+26.8%), America (+13.3%), Asia (+10.2%), the European Union (+0.6%), and Africa (+0.5%). Meanwhile, imports fell 0.8% to €56.2 billion, with notable declines in purchases of refined petroleum products and coke (-9%) and natural hydrocarbons (-8.5%). Imports decreased from Asia (-4.3%), Africa (-1.1%), and the European Union (-0.7%), while rising from America (+4.2%).