BANGKOK, Dec 27 Reuters Thailand39;s exports dropped for a second straight month in November and by more than expected, due to a global slowdown and China39;s lockdown measures, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday.

Exports, a key driver of Thai growth, declined 6.0 in November from a year earlier, compared with a forecast fall of 5.2 year on year in a Reuters poll. That came after October39;s 4.4 drop.

Exports of agricultural and agroindustrial products dropped by 2 in November from a year earlier, while shipments of industrial products declined 5.1, the ministry said in a statement.

Among major markets in November, shipments to the United States rose 1.2 from a year earlier while those to Southeast Asia dropped 9.5. Exports to China declined 9.9 from a year earlier.

In the first 11 months of 2022, exports increased 7.6 from the same period a year earlier, compared with the ministry39;s target of a 4 export rise for the full year.

In November, imports were up 5.6 in November from a year earlier, compared with a forecast 0.8 dip. Many imports will be used for producing goods to be shipped out again.

Thailand recorded a trade deficit of 1.34 billion in November, versus a forecast deficit of 200 million.

Earlier on Tuesday, industry ministry data showed factory output in November dropped 5.6 from year earlier, the biggest contraction in more than two years as global demand slowed, and the ministry expected a further fall in production in December.

Industrial…