ALGIERS, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Algeria's trade deficit rose 26.5 percent in the first seven months of 2016 from the same period a year earlier as falling crude oil prices caused a drop in oil and gas exports, official data showed on Monday. The deficit reached $11.93 billion as oil and gas exports, which accounted for 93.7 percent of total sales abroad, fell 32.09 percent to $14.19 billion in the January-July period, according to customs figures.

The overall value of exports during the period dropped 31.5 percent to $15.14 billion. Imports declined 14.14 percent to $27.07 billion, the figures showed.

The North African country has been trying to cut imports after the drop in oil prices, which has hit state finances.

(Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed, editing by Larry King) ((hamid.ouldahmed@thomsonreuters.com;))