India’s Exports of Goods and Services Reach $860 Billion in FY26, Grow 4.22% Despite March Dip

Ø  April-March 2025-26 Ends with $441bn, Marginal Gain in Goods, Thanks to China, Imports Crash by $53 bn to $721bn as China Imports Grow to $155 bn

Ø  Gold Import Rises to $116 bn

Ø  Textiles Export Languish as Electronics Exports Up $48 bn but Import Up $116 bn

·         Overall Trade Performance (FY 2025-26):

o    Total exports (merchandise + services) estimated at $860.09 billion, up 4.22% YoY.

o    Total imports rose to $979.40 billion, up 6.47%.

o    Trade deficit widened to $119.30 billion.

·         Merchandise Trade:

o    Exports marginally increased to $441.78 billion (+0.93%).

o    Imports surged to $774.98 billion, widening merchandise trade deficit to $333.19 billion.

·         Services Trade:

o    Services exports grew to $418.31 billion (+7.94%).

o    Services surplus increased to $213.89 billion, cushioning overall trade deficit.

·         Non-Petroleum Exports:

o    Rose to $387.88 billion (+3.62%).

o    Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery exports reached $359.67 billion.

·         March 2026 Trade Snapshot:

o    Total exports declined 4.58% to $74.11 billion.

o    Imports fell 5.76% to $76.55 billion.

o    Trade deficit narrowed to $2.44 billion.

·         Key Export Growth Sectors (March 2026):

o    Other cereals (+108.23%)

o    Minerals (mica, coal, ores) (+11.27%)

o    Handicrafts (+8.51%)

o    Petroleum products (+5.88%)

o    Engineering goods (+1.13%)

·         Major Import Declines (March 2026):

o    Petroleum & crude (-35.91%)

o    Gold (-31.63%)

o    Cotton, project goods, chemicals, iron & steel also declined.

·         Top Export Destinations (Growth in FY26):

o    China, Spain, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Sri Lanka showed strong growth.

·         Top Import Sources (Growth in FY26):

o    China, USA, Hong Kong, Peru, UK.

·         Key Insight:

o    Strong services exports growth helped offset weak merchandise export performance, but rising imports widened the overall trade deficit.

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[ABS News Service/16.04.2026]