New Delhi - India's exports fell 21.7 per cent in February to their lowest level in 13 years, owing to lagging demand because of the global recession, the government said Wednesday.

The country's imports also shrank by 23.3 per cent for their second-consecutive fall, the Ministry of Commerce said.

Exports plunged to 11.91 billion dollars in February from 15.22 billion dollars in the corresponding period last year.

The trade deficit this February stood at 4.91 billion dollars, 26.83 per cent lower than in February 2008, the government said.

"In 2009-10, we expect the exports growth rate would be 5 per cent," Federation of Indian Export Organizations President A Sakthivel was quoted as saying by the PTI news agency.

India's Planning Commission predicted slower growth, as low as 3 per cent, over the current fiscal year, which began Wednesday.

The World Trade Organization has said world trade is likely to shrink by 9 per cent in 2009. (dpa)