France's trade deficit narrowed in November, helped by growing exports, especially buoyant aeronautical sales, customs figures showed on Monday.

The country's trade deficit dropped by 21.25 percent to 4.41 billion euros (5.63 billion U.S. dollars) in November, according to data released by customs services.

For the past 12 months, the cumulated trade deficit climbed to 70.45 billion euros (89.97 billion dollars) in total.

The customs recorded foreign sales worth 37.42 billion euros (47.79billion dollars) in November, thanks to good performance in aeronautical and pharmaceutical sales and slightly better trade results with emerging markets.

Airbus generated 2.24 billion euros (2.86 billion dollars) after offering 30 aircraft in November, compared with 23 units worth 1.41 billion euros (1.80 billion dollars) sold in October.

At the end of November, imports inched up to 41.84 billion euros (53.42 billion dollars) from 41.81 billion euros (53.39 billion dollars) a month earlier.

According to 2012 budget draft, trade gap would stand at 73.8 billion euros (94.28 billion dollars) in the new year, slightly up from 73.1 billion euros (93.41 billion dollars) expected in 2011.