PARIS (Reuters) - France's trade deficit increased to stand at around 5 billion euros ($5.90 billion) in October compared to 4.6 billion euros in the previous month, showed seasonally adjusted data published on Thursday by the customs office.
The increase in the trade deficit was due partly to an increase in imports in the automobiles sector, and a dip in exports towards Asia of sales of products in the aerospace industry.
BACKGROUND
France has run a trade deficit every month since May 2004 as French firms have seen their share of international markets dwindle in the face of declining competitiveness. France posted its biggest monthly deficit in April 2011 with a trade gap of 7.024 billion euros.
GRAPHICS
Monthly balance, imports and exports: http://reut.rs/2nKc3RU
Share of international trade: http://reut.rs/2eB1qS5
Trade balance excluding energy: http://reut.rs/2ey6kiJ
($1 = 0.8482 euros)