France’s trade deficit widened to €6.9 billion in March 2026 from a revised €5.5 billion in February, coming in above expectations of €5.6 billion. This marks the largest reading since May 2025, as imports rose 3.2% month-on-month to €59.3 billion, led by strong increases in natural hydrocarbons (+30.0%), refined petroleum products (+25.4%), and transport equipment (+2.8%). Imports grew from the European Union (+3.4%), Africa (+1.3%), the Americas (+4.2%), and the Middle East (+42.0%). Meanwhile, exports rose at a slower pace of 1.0% to €52.5 billion, driven by refined petroleum products (+35.5%) and natural hydrocarbons (+11.3%). In contrast, exports declined in agricultural products (-0.8%), other industrial products (-0.8%), and publishing and communication goods (-4.2%). By region, exports increased to Africa (+9.4%), Asia (+8.0%), the European Union (+1.0%), and miscellaneous destinations (+16.2%), while falling to the Americas (-6.4%) and the Middle East (-10.1%).