The country’s export earnings posted a 31.7 percent drop to $20.5 billion in the first seven months of the year compared to $30 billion in 2008.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) said that export earnings in July 2009 declined by 25.4 percent to $3.312 billion from $4.437 billion reported in July 2008.

Electronic products which accounted for 57.8 percent of the total export revenue in July 2009, registered a 25.2 percent decline to $1.915 billion.

NSO attributed the decline to the 24.8 percent annual decrease in semiconductors which comprised 42.8 percent of the total exports and the biggest share among the major groups of electronic products. However, month-on-month, it increased by 5.8 percent from $1.340 billion in June 2009.

Apparel and clothing accessories representing 3.8 percent share of total exports in July 2009 emerged as the country’s second top earner with revenue valued at $125.19 million, down by 26.4 percent over last year’s figure of $170.07 million.