India’s merchandise trade deficit widened to $28.38 billion in April as merchandise exports increased to $43.56 billion in April 2026, up from $38.28 billion in the corresponding month last year, while merchandise imports climbed to $71.94 billion from $65.38 billion.
India’s total exports for the month of April rose 13.59 per cent year-on-year to an estimated USD 80.80 billion, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The exports were driven by strong growth in sectors such as electronic goods, petroleum products and engineering goods.
Total imports stood at USD 88.61 billion, up 7.67 per cent from USD 82.29 billion in April. Meanwhile, the overall trade deficit narrowed to USD 7.81 billion in April 2026 from USD 11.16 billion a year ago.
Services exports were estimated at USD 37.24 billion during the month against USD 32.85 billion in April 2025, registering a growth of 13.36 per cent. Services imports were estimated at USD 16.66 billion compared with USD 16.91 billion a year ago.
Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports rose to USD 31.64 billion in April 2026 from USD 28.66 billion in the same month last year. Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery imports increased to USD 45.87 billion from USD 39.75 billion.
Among key export segments, other cereals recorded the highest growth of 210.19 per cent during April 2026, followed by electronic goods at 40.31 per cent and petroleum products at 34.66 per cent. Engineering goods exports grew 8.76 per cent, while drugs and pharmaceuticals exports rose 7.12 per cent.
On the import side, chemical materials and products saw a sharp decline of 35.4 per cent, while imports of pulses fell 29.69 per cent and crude petroleum and products declined 10.03 per cent.
Singapore, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Hong Kong were among the top export destinations showing strong growth in April 2026, while imports from China, Russia, Oman, Peru and Saudi Arabia recorded significant increases.