Bombay Bullion Association has declared that India's gold imports fell 26-35 percent in November as high prices ruled out any chance of reviving the sagging demand during the wedding season.

Suresh Hundia, president of the Bombay Bullion Association said, gold imports by India, the world's biggest consumer of the metal, were around 35-40 tonnes in November, compared with 54 tonnes in the same month a year earlier.

Imports during January to November slumped 46 percent to 399 tonnes from 743 tonnes in the same period last year. In all of 2007, India had imported 759 tonnes of gold, data from the association showed.

Seasonal demand for gold rises during the festival months from August to October, when the metal is boughtfor auspicious occasions and also for weddings that run till the end of the year.

Prices rebounded towards the end of November and a weaker rupee kept the local prices firm. Silver imports during the month were estimated at 200-250 tons, down from around 300 tons in October and the rupee was also weak against the dollar, pushing up the cost of imports.