Colombian exports fell 17.3 percent in the first ten months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, according to a report by statistics agency DANE.
Traditional exports fell by 19 percent while non traditional exports fell by 28.5 percent.
From January to December 2009 exports to the U.S. fell by 16.9 percent, due primarily to a fall in sales of combustibles.
In the month of October 2009 exports fell by 5.5 percent in relation to the same month in 2008, when they rose by 20.3 percent.
In October 2009 exports to Venezuela fell by 70.4 percent in comparison with the same month in 2008.