The euro zone swung to a trade surplus in October from a deficit a year earlier, data showed on Friday, as exports fell less than imports despite a stronger euro exchange rate against the dollar.

The seasonally unadjusted trade surplus of the 16-country area totalled 8.8 billion euros ($12.7 billion), compared with a deficit of 1.2 billion euros in October 2008 and a revised 900 million euro surplus in September 2009.

Unadjusted exports fell 17 percent year-on-year in October, while imports dropped 24 percent, the European Union's statistics office said.

Adjusted for seasonal swings, the surplus was 6.3 billion euros, up from 4.3 billion in September as exports eased 0.2 percent month-on-month while adjusted imports fell 2.2 percent on the month.