Moldova's trade deficit widened 13.1% on the year to $502.6 million in the first quarter, the country's statistical bureau, BNS, said on Friday.

Moldova's exports rose 26.8% year-on-year, while imports increased by 19.7% in the three months through March, the office of statistics said in a statement.

In March alone, Moldova's exports grew by 31.5% on the year, reaching $212.1 million, while imports rose by 17.6% to $431.3 million.

In 2016, Moldova's trade deficit narrowed 2.2% on the year to $1.97 billion.