China's March exports, imports fall, miss forecasts by large margins

China's March exports fell 7.5% year-on-year, while imports unexpectedly shrank 1.9%, both undershooting market forecasts by large margins, customs data showed on Friday, highlighting the tough task facing policymakers as they try to bolster a shaky economic recovery.

A Reuters poll of economists had forecast exports would decline 2.3% due to a high year-ago base comparison, after outbound shipments rose 7.1% in January-February, and imports to grow 1.4%, compared with 3.5% growth in the first two months.

China posted a trade surplus of $58.55 billion in March, compared with a $70.2 billion surplus expected in the poll.