French exports rise in value

French merchant service exports reached 72.1 billion euros in the third quarter of 2026, compared to 70.9 billion in the second quarter, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). This increase was offset by a decline in industrial exports, which dropped from 169.4 to 167.1 billion euros during the same period.

Total export value slightly down

The total value of goods and service exports, after territorial adjustment, was 265.3 billion euros, compared to 266.5 billion in the previous quarter. These figures are expressed at current prices and adjusted for seasonal variations and working days, and therefore should not be considered solely as a measure of the evolution of exported quantities.

Merchant services grow, industrial exports fall

Merchant services increased by 1.2 billion euros from one quarter to the next, or about 1.7% in value. Industrial exports decreased by 2.3 billion euros, or nearly 1.4%. Agricultural products also declined, from 5.1 to 4.9 billion euros. Non-merchant services remained at 0.5 billion euros in this rounded presentation.

Export volume drops, imports rise

The first estimate of the national accounts for the third quarter published by INSEE indicates that exports of goods and services, measured in volume, decreased by 1.7% after an increase of 2.8% in the second quarter. Imports increased by 0.1%, so that external trade subtracts 0.6 points from the evolution of gross domestic product (GDP).

Key sectors show mixed performance

The decrease in exports in volume is particularly marked in transport equipment (-9.1%), notably in aeronautics. Agricultural products (-7.0%) and agri-food products (-1.1%) are also down. Conversely, exports of services continue to increase in volume, by 0.5%, but less rapidly than in the second quarter (+1.0%).

Understanding current values and volumes

Current values and volumes tell two complementary dimensions: the first measures the amounts of trade, the second their real contribution to economic activity. This distinction is important for exporting companies as well as for analysts of external trade, at a time when French GDP contracted by 0.1% in the third quarter.