WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- A record increase in imported oil prices in November sent the U.S. trade deficit to its highest level in more than a year, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

The seasonally adjusted trade gap widened 9.3% to $63.1 billion in November, the largest deficit since September 2006. Read the full report.

Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected the trade deficit to widen in November to $59.5 billion. See Economic Calendar. October's gap of $57.8 billion was unrevised.

"The trade picture is almost grim for a country whose exchange rate has dropped as much as the greenback's has," wrote Robert Brusca of FAO Economics. "Any more dropping and they may have to rename it the 'yellow-back' for cowardliness."

Imports rose 3% to a record $205.4 billion, while exports increased 0.4% to a record $142.3 billion. Most of the increase was simply a matter of higher prices, however.

In inflation-adjusted terms, the real trade gap widened by 4.2%, as real imports rose 1.3% and real exports fell 0.3%. It was the second straight decline in real exports, a troubling sign for an economy that's relying on export growth to offset weakness in housing, capital spending and consumer spending.

The unexpected increase in the real trade gap will likely lead economists to lower their projections for fourth-quarter gross domestic product. Currently, economists are predicting that GDP growth slowed to 1.2% annualized in the quarter.

Jay Bryson, global economist for Wachovia, wrote that real net exports "likely made very little contribution" to the fourth quarter's overall rate of GDP growth.

"Looking forward, exports should generally grow faster than imports, which should help to prop up overall GDP growth over the next few quarters," he wrote.

In a separate report, the Labor Department said import prices were unchanged in December, following a 3.3% rise in November. Imported petroleum prices fell 0.6% in December. See full story.

Crude story

The big story in November's trade report was petroleum. With a $7.16 increase in the average price of a barrel of crude oil to a record $79.65, the nation's crude-oil bill rose to an unprecedented $25.2 billion. Imports from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries increased to a record $17 billion.

But the real trade gap widened 3% in November, even excluding petroleum. Real imports increased 0.3% excluding petroleum.

Compared with a year ago, the trade deficit has widened by about 8%, with exports up 13% and imports rising 11%. The figures are not adjusted for price changes.

The weaker U.S. dollar had been boosting exports as U.S. farmers and producers of other commodities benefited from higher prices and a weaker dollar.

At the same time, imports have slowed because of sagging growth in the U.S. and because imports are relatively more expensive. The U.S. can't cut its demand for petroleum quickly in response to higher prices, however.

Imports from China dropped in November on a seasonally unadjusted basis to $29.8 billion, as most of the holiday shipments had already been sent. Still, it was the second-highest level of Chinese imports after October's $31.6 billion. The trade gap with China narrowed to $24 billion from $25.9 billion. Over the past year, however, the trade gap with China has widened 11.1% to $237.5 billion.

Trade with Canada, Mexico and Europe declined on a seasonally unadjusted basis in November.

Details

Imports of industrial supplies increased 8.5% to $59.2 billion, including a 17% increase in crude-oil imports.

Imports of capital goods increased 0.4%, led by telecom equipment.

Imports of foods and feeds rose 2.5%.

Imports of consumer goods rose 2%.

Imports of autos increased 0.6%.

Exports of capital goods fell 2.3%, led by a 19% drop in civilian aircraft.

Exports of industrial materials increased 0.7%, boosted by a 40% gain in exports of fuel oil.

Exports of foods and feeds increased 5.5%, led by corn and soybeans.

Exports of autos increased 4.5%.

Exports of consumer goods increased 0.9%.