France Balance Commerciale

The trade gap in France narrowed to €7.1 billion in November 2024 from a downwardly revised €7.5 billion in October, slightly exceeding forecasts of a €7 billion shortfall. This was the smallest trade deficit in four periods, as exports rose 2.9% month-on-month to €50.1 billion, driven by higher sales of natural hydrocarbons, other extractive industry products, electricity, waste (+52.1%), and transport equipment (+7.2%). Export growth was recorded across most regions except America (-4.4%), with increases to the European Union (+2%), Africa (+5.5%), the Middle East (+11.8%), and Asia (+8.1%). Meanwhile, imports grew at a slower pace of 1.8% to €57.2 billion, with purchases particularly higher for transport equipment (+7.9%) and agri-food products (+2.6%). Import growth was seen across all major regions: European Union (+0.7%), Africa (+5.5%), America (+1.9%), the Middle East (+8.5%), and Asia (+4.8%).