Paris:France's trade balance deficit increased in September, reaching 7.3 billion euros. This marks an increase of 1.3 billion euros compared to the previous month, driven by imports rising at a faster pace than exports and higher energy supply prices.
According to Yemen News Agency, the French Customs Authority reported that imports climbed to 62.7 billion euros, reflecting a rise of 2.4 billion euros. This increase was primarily due to the higher prices of energy-source supplies, notably refined petroleum products. Meanwhile, exports grew by approximately one billion euros, reaching a total of 55.3 billion euros, bolstered by aviation sector deliveries to the Near East and Middle East region.
The data indicated a deterioration in France's trade balance with Asia by about 700 million euros, particularly with China, because of increased imports of computer and information technology equipment. The trade balance also worsened with the United States by approximately 500 million euros due to higher imports of natural fuels. Similar declines were noted with European Union countries by about 500 million euros and with non-EU European countries by around 400 million euros.
Conversely, the trade balance improved with the Near East and Middle East region by about 600 million euros and with Africa by approximately 400 million euros. Additionally, the current account deficit over the past year reached 13.7 billion euros, compared to 15.8 billion euros during the same period the previous year.
