French consumer spending fell in March as demand for energy declined and households reduced food purchases.

Spending declined 2.9 percent from February, when it rose a revised 2.9 percent, national statistics office Insee said today in an e-mailed statement. Economists expected a drop of 1.9 percent, according to the median of 15 estimates gathered by Bloomberg news.

“After a month of February with a marked increase because of heating expenses linked to a cold spell, household energy consumption plunged in March,” Insee said. “Food spending fell back after two consecutive months of increase.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Deen in Paris at markdeen@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Vidya Root at vroot@bloomberg.net