India trade body says Oct 1-22 gold imports at 27 T

MUMBAI, Oct 29 (Reuters) - India imported 27 tonnes of gold between Oct. 1 and Oct. 22 against 44 tonnes imported in all of October last year, the head of Bombay Bullion Association (BBA) said on Thursday, as higher prices continue to hurt demand.

The data is preliminary, said Suresh Hundia, president of the BBA without giving further details. October marks the peak of the festival season in India, the world's biggest market, when gold is bought for auspicious reasons. Indian gold imports dropped to 37.5 tonnes in September versus 54 tonnes a year ago, Hundia said.

Data from the BBA shows imports between Jan. 1 and Oct. 22 were at 157.9 tonnes, down 59 percent from 383 tonnes a year ago and 420 tonnes in 2008.

(Reporting by Ruchira Singh; Editing by Malini Menon)