The French trade deficit increased significantly in May due to a notable decline in exports, data from customs office showed Friday.

The trade gap widened to EUR 6.01 billion in May from EUR 4.48 billion in April. The shortfall was forecast to increase to EUR 4.6 billion.

Exports declined to EUR 36.09 billion from EUR 37.7 billion in the prior month. Imports, at the same time, remained almost unchanged at EUR 42.1 billion.