France’s trade deficit narrowed to €5.6 billion in April 2026 from €6.4 billion in March, and below the expected €6.5 billion shortfall. This reflects exports rising 3.1% month-on-month to €54.6 billion, driven by transport equipment (+5.9%), mechanical, electrical, electronic and computer equipment (+5.8%), and other industrial products (+0.2%), while declines were seen in natural hydrocarbons (-8.7%), and agri-food industries (-1.1%). By region, exports increased to the European Union (+1.1%), Asia (+2.7%), the Americas (+0.6%), Africa (+0.4%), and the Middle East (+8.7%). Meanwhile, imports rose at a softer 1.5% to €60.2 billion, driven by higher purchases of natural hydrocarbons (+5.4%) and other industrial products (+2.5%), while transport equipment (-2.8%) and refined petroleum products (-3.3%) declined. Imports rose from Africa (+20.4%), Asia (+6.1%), and the Americas (+2.4%), while falling sharply from the Middle East (-60.7%) and edging lower from the European Union (-0.2%).