France's trade deficit increased for the fourth consecutive month in February while reaching a record-high 6.55 billion euros (9.36 billion U.S. dollars), the government said Thursday.

The February figure exceeded the previous record of 6.35 billion euros (9.07 billion dollars) in October 2008. In January, the trade deficit stood at 6.12 billion euros (8.74 billion dollars), revised figures showed.

The deficit increase mainly came from the energy sector, the customs agency said in a statement.

Meanwhile, France's imports rose to 41.27 billion euros (58.96 billion dollars), while exports increased from 34.34 billion euros (49.06 billion dollars) in January to 34.72 billion euros (49.60 billion dollars).