France’s trade deficit widened to €7.3 billion in September 2026 from a revised €6.0 billion in August, above the expected €5.8 billion shortfall. The deficit was largest since October 2024, as imports rose 4.0% month-on-month to €62.7 billion, driven by refined petroleum products and coke (+24.1%), extractive products, electricity and waste (+7.8%), and mechanical, electrical, electronic and computer equipment (+3.4%). By origin, imports increased from the Americas (+7.5%), Asia (+4.2%) and the EU (+2.5%), but fell from Africa (-5.9%) and the Middle East (-14.3%). Meanwhile, exports rose at a softer 2.0% to €55.3 billion, led by transport equipment (+6.2%), agricultural, forestry and fishing products (+6.5%), and refined petroleum products (+36.8%). Mechanical, electrical, electronic and computer equipment exports edged down 0.4%. By destination, exports increased to the Middle East (+41.5%), Africa (+8.9%) and the EU (+0.9%), but declined to Asia (-1.9%) and the Americas (-1.4%).