Exports up 9% in April; trade deficit widens to 5-month high

India’s exports rose 9.03 per cent to USD 38.49 billion in April, the highest in six months, driven by healthy growth in sectors such as electronics and engineering goods, while the trade deficit widened to a five-month high of USD 26.42 billion.

According to the commerce ministry data released on Thursday, imports increased by 19.12 per cent year-on-year to USD 64.91 billion in April due to a rise in shipments of crude oil and fertiliser.

The spurt in imports widened the trade deficit – the difference between the value of imports and exports – to the highest since November 2024 when it was recorded at USD 31.77 billion.

The sectors which recorded export growth during the month included tobacco, coffee, marine products, tea, ready-made garments of all textiles, rice, gems and jewellery, spices, petroleum products and pharmaceuticals.

The previous high exports growth was registered in October 2024 (16.6 per cent).

The outbound shipments of electronics and engineering goods rose 39.51 per cent and 11.28 per cent to USD 3.69 billion and USD 9.51 billion, respectively.

The shipments to the US increased 27.3 per cent during the month to USD 8.42 billion as exporters rushed their orders to beat the reciprocal tariffs announced by the Trump administration on April 2 that was later suspended till July 9.

The tariff differential between economies may have helped India boost shipments to the United States.

Crude oil imports in April rose 25.6 per cent to USD 20.7 billion while gold imports were up 4.86 per cent to USD 3.09 billion.

Commenting on the data, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said, “I hope India will maintain this export momentum and it should be a good year for us" despite global uncertainties.

“We have opened this year with a bang," he told reporters here adding exporters have achieved resiliency in their businesses.

Business