France Trade, Exports and Imports
France Trade, Exports and Imports
In 2009, France’s export volumes amounted to $456.8 billion and the country ranked 6th in the world. However, the figures were much higher in 2008 at $601.9 billion.
France’s main export commodities are:
• Machinery
• Transportation equipment
• Aircraft
• Plastics
• Chemicals
• Pharmaceutical products
• Iron and steel
• Beverages
France’s main export partners are:
Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• UK
• Belgium
• US
• The Netherlands
•
Besides French trade, tourism is a big contributor to the national GDP. In fact, France rules the tourism industry with over 82 million tourists visiting the country for its rich heritage and culture.
Agriculture is another strong point for France, with almost 25% of the EU’s total agricultural products being produced here. The government provides subsidies to the agricultural sector and the development of this sector is likely to give export activities a further boost.
France GDP
2010 34092.259 1.97 %
Source: International Monetary Fund - 2010 World Economic Outlook
France - Foreign trade
________________________________________
Leading French exports, by major categories, are capital goods (machinery, heavy electrical equipment, transport equipment, and aircraft), consumer goods (automobiles, textiles, and leather), and semi-finished products (mainly chemicals, iron, and steel). Major imports are fuels, machinery and equipment, chemicals and paper goods, and consumer goods.
The French trade balance was favorable in 1961 for the first time since 1927, but after 1961 imports rose at a higher rate than exports. Trade deficits generally increased until the 1990s. From 1977 to 1985, the trade deficit nearly tripled. Among factors held responsible were heavy domestic demand for consumer products not widely produced in France, narrowness of the range of major exports, and a concentration on markets not ripe for expansion of exports from France, notably the EU and OPEC
In 2009, France’s export volumes amounted to $456.8 billion and the country ranked 6th in the world. However, the figures were much higher in 2008 at $601.9 billion.
France’s main export commodities are:
• Machinery
• Transportation equipment
• Aircraft
• Plastics
• Chemicals
• Pharmaceutical products
• Iron and steel
• Beverages
France’s main export partners are:
Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• UK
• Belgium
• US
• The Netherlands
•
Besides French trade, tourism is a big contributor to the national GDP. In fact, France rules the tourism industry with over 82 million tourists visiting the country for its rich heritage and culture.
Agriculture is another strong point for France, with almost 25% of the EU’s total agricultural products being produced here. The government provides subsidies to the agricultural sector and the development of this sector is likely to give export activities a further boost.
France GDP
2010 34092.259 1.97 %
Source: International Monetary Fund - 2010 World Economic Outlook
France - Foreign trade
________________________________________
Leading French exports, by major categories, are capital goods (machinery, heavy electrical equipment, transport equipment, and aircraft), consumer goods (automobiles, textiles, and leather), and semi-finished products (mainly chemicals, iron, and steel). Major imports are fuels, machinery and equipment, chemicals and paper goods, and consumer goods.
The French trade balance was favorable in 1961 for the first time since 1927, but after 1961 imports rose at a higher rate than exports. Trade deficits generally increased until the 1990s. From 1977 to 1985, the trade deficit nearly tripled. Among factors held responsible were heavy domestic demand for consumer products not widely produced in France, narrowness of the range of major exports, and a concentration on markets not ripe for expansion of exports from France, notably the EU and OPEC