Strong export growth narrows French trade deficit in May - Customs

PARIS: France's trade deficit narrowed in May as export growth outpaced the rise in imports, seasonally adjusted data from the customs office showed on Friday.

France's trade balance with the rest of the world showed a deficit of 3.28 billion euros ($3.70 billion) in May after a revised shortfall of 4.90 billion euros in April.

Exports rose 4.6%, driven by the sales of defense-related items which hit their highest level in 15 years, while imports edged 0.8% higher.

Separately, the central bank said that France's current account posted a surplus of 300 million euros in May, reversing a deficit of 1.2 billion euros the previous month.