Exports posted a growth of 9.3% between 2010 and 2011 (9 months), reaching 18.777 billion dinars while imports rose by 4.9% to 24.684 billion dinars. According to statistics published on Wednesday by the Foreign Trade Observatory (Ministry of Trade and Tourism), the rate of coverage of imports by exports is estimated at 76.1% compared with 73% in the same period last year. Regarding trade deficit, it fell by 6.9% in 2011 (compared to 2010) to reach 5.907 billion dinars. The observatory explained the increase in the value of exports by the rise of those of energy products by 25.9% (745.1 MTD) and food products by 36% (539.6 MTD).