UPDATE 1-Colombia says May exports fell 19.0 pct vs May '08

(Adds dollar figures, context)

BOGOTA, July 9 (Reuters) - Exports from Colombia fell 19 percent in May to $2.74 billion versus the same month last year, the government's statistics department said on Thursday.

In the first five months of the year, exports from the Andean country sank 17.7 percent to $12.68 billion versus the same 2008 period, a statement issued by the department said.

Colombia's economy is stagnating this year after 2.5 percent growth in 2008. Oil and other exports have been hit by weak global demand brought by the global slowdown. (Reporting by Javier Mozzo; Editing by Gary Hill)