New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS) India's merchandise exports fell for the 12th straight month this September, dipping 13.8 percent to $13.6 billion, compared to the corresponding month last fiscal, a government statement said Tuesday.

India exported $15.8 billion worth of goods in September 2008.

Cumulative value of merchandise exports for the first six months this fiscal stood at $77.8 billion, down 28.5 percent from corresponding half yearly figure of $108.9 billion last year.

The country's imports fell 31.3 percent to $21.38 billion in the month under review, compared to $31.13 billion in September 2008.

Total imports during the six months ending September were valued at $124.6 billion, a decline of 32.7 percent against $185 billion in the like period last fiscal.

Oil imports during September stood at $6.34 billion, 33.5 percent lower than what it bought in the corresponding period last fiscal.

Oil imports during April-September 2009 were worth $34.8 billion, 45 percent lower than the that in the corresponding period last year.

Non-oil imports for the month under review was $15.03 billion, 30.4 percent lower than the amount in September 2008.

Non-oil imports during April- September were $89.78 billion, which was 26.2 percent lower than the level registered in the first six months last fiscal.

The trade deficit for the six months ending September was estimated at $46.73 billion, which was lower than the deficit of $76.095 billion in first six months of 2008-09.