Eastern France: A Driving Force in Exports in Firt Half of 2025

Eastern France stands out as a strategic region for French exports and a major player in European international trade. It also remains one of the few French regions with a positive trade balance (+€577M), driven in particular by the Marne, whose surplus is twice the regional average.

Eastern France : Seven Departments with Positive Trade Surplus

In the first half of 2025, seven departments in the Grand Est region reported a positive trade balance, with the Marne confirming its position as regional leader at +€1.37 billion, followed by Moselle (+€838M). This performance—up 68% compared with the previous year—is principally supported by Champagne exports, which account for 54% of Marne’s international sales and remain a flagship product, especially in North America. The United States is the department’s largest customer, absorbing 17% of its exports.
But the Marne’s success goes beyond its wine industry: pharmaceutical products represent 13% of its exports, and perfumes and cosmetics 4%.

The Ardennes and Aube departments also reinforce the export-oriented nature of the Grand Est. The Ardennes stands out for its chemicals and agri-food exports, while Aube is strong in textiles and beverages. These sectors are among the main contributors to the region’s trade surplus and are part of the seven industries that account for 50% of total exports from the Grand Est.

Eastern France : A Strategic Location & Excellent Infrastructures

The Grand Est conducts 66.6% of its exports with the European Union, thanks in part to its major geographical and logistical advantages. The region enjoys exceptional accessibility and a strategic position at the heart of Europe, at the crossroads of major economic corridors linking Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Switzerland. It benefits from high-performance transport infrastructure including four international airports, a dense high-speed rail network connected to both French and German systems, and a key motorway network essential to European logistics flows.

The Grand Est is also one of Europe’s leading river regions thanks to the Rhine and Moselle, major waterways offering direct access to Northern Europe’s maritime ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Zeebrugge. With nearly 30 multimodal platforms, the region offers comprehensive logistics solutions combining road, rail, river, and air transport, capable of handling all types of freight.

A leading Export Region in France

Thanks to these economic, industrial, and logistical strengths, the Grand Est holds a major position in France’s foreign trade. As the country’s fourth-largest exporting region, it represents 11.6% of national exports over the past twelve months.

Source : Commerce international : la Marne affirme sa position de leader