France's Trade Gap Hits 7.6 Bln Euro Despite Energy Gains

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) PARIS, July 8 (KUNA) -- France's trade deficit widened to 7.6 billion euro (USD 8.9 billion) in May after a sharp April improvement, official data showed on Tuesday.
Customs officials told BFM TV that exports fell by 1 billion euro (USD 1.17 billion) on a three-month moving-average basis, outpacing a 600 million euro (USD 705 million) drop in imports.
The monthly shortfall reached 7.8 billion euro (USD 9.16 billion), up from 7.2 billion euro (USD 8.45 billion) in April.
An improved energy balance--thanks to lower energy imports--was offset by a weaker performance in manufactured goods, the main cause of the wider deficit, customs said.
Over the past 12 months the trade gap totaled 80 billion euro (USD 93 billion), after an 81 billion euro (USD 95 billion) deficit in 2024, according to statistics.
France has not recorded a goods-trade surplus since 2002, customs noted. (end)
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