The French trade deficit in January widened to 5.89 billion euros (8.21 billion U.S. dollars) from 5.6 billion euros (7.8 billion dollars) in December, mainly due to increased oil costs, according to official data released Tuesday.
Recent political tension in North African countries significantly drove up the cost of France's oil imports.
France's total imports for January were 40.2 billion euros (56.05 billion dollars), from 38.88 billion euros (54.21 billion dollars) in December.
Exports reached 34.31 billion euros (47.84 billion dollars), slightly up from 33.82 billion euros (47.15 billion dollars) the previous month.
Export performance was held back by sales in the aerospace, chemical and pharmaceutical products sectors, which declined "considerably" in January, according to the Finance Ministry.
France-based European aircraft maker Airbus, the primary driver for French exports, sold 16 units with a total value of 1.14 billion euros (1.59 billion dollars) in the same period, against 27 units for 1.72 billion euros (2.39 billion dollars) in December./.