France External Trade April 2008

France's trade deficit fell back again in April as exports rebounded from a three-month low and imports fell for a third consecutive month, signaling domestic growth may be slowing. The gap shrank to 3.72 billion euros from 4.27 billion euros in March, which was revised from a shortfall of 4.7 billion euros, according to the Trade Ministry in Paris on Friday.



French consumers and manufacturers are facing rising production costs from the near-doubling in crude oil prices in the past year.

Imports fell to 38.68 billion euros from 38.75 billion euros and exports rose to 34.97 billion euros, from 34.48 billion euros in March. Airbus delivered 22 planes for 1.1 billion euros in April, after supplying 28 aircraft worth 1.5 billion euros in March.