New Delhi, Dec 15: The country's exports dipped 8.74 per cent to $23.52 billion in November on account of contraction in shipments of key sectors like petroleum, engineering, chemicals and gems and jewellery, official data showed on Tuesday.

Trade deficit during the month narrowed to $9.87 billion as imports too declined by 13.32 per cent to $33.39 billion, the data showed.

During April-November 2020-21, exports dropped by 17.76 per cent to $173.66 billion, while imports contracted by 33.55 per cent to $215.69 billion.

Trade deficit stood at $42 billion for the first eight months of the fiscal as compared to $113.42 billion in the same period last year.

Oil imports in November dropped by 43.36 per cent to $6.27 billion