FX.co ★ France Trade Deficit Widens Beyond Forecast

France’s trade deficit widened to €6.7 billion in July 2026 from €5.8 billion in June, surpassing the expected shortfall of €6.0 billion. Imports increased by 1.8% month-on-month to €61.3 billion, driven mainly by higher purchases of transport equipment (+6.6%), natural hydrocarbons and other extractive products (+7.0%), and publishing and communication products (+13.5%). By region of origin, imports rose from the Middle East (+64.0%), the European Union (+0.9%) and Asia (+1.2%), but declined from Africa (-6.0%) and the Americas (-1.3%).

Exports grew more modestly, edging up 0.3% to €54.7 billion. The increase was supported by sales of natural hydrocarbons and other extractive products (+14.5%), other industrial products (+1.4%), and agricultural, forestry and aquaculture products (+0.1%). In contrast, exports of transport equipment (-0.9%) and mechanical, electronic and computer equipment (-0.4%) fell. By destination, exports rose to the EU (+3.4%) and the Middle East (+7.0%), while shipments to Africa (-4.1%), the Americas (-0.7%) and Asia (-1.6%) declined.