Exports had stood at USD 25.3 billion in December 2011.
Imports grew however by 6.26 per cent to USD 42.5 billion in December, leaving a trade deficit of USD 17.6 billion.
During the April-December period of 2012-13 fiscal, the country's overseas shipments have shrunk by 5.5 per cent to USD 214.1 billion. Imports during the period have dipped by 0.71 per cent to USD 361.2 billion.
Commerce Secretary S R Rao said that there is an arrest in the fall of exports as "all the sectors including engineering have slightly improved".
During the first nine months of this financial year, the trade deficit stands at USD 147.2 billion.
Oil imports in December increased by 23.5 per cent year-on-year to USD 14.4 billion. Non-oil imports, however, declined by 0.87 per cent to USD 28.11 billion.
