India’s exports contract for 5th straight month in December; trade deficit narrows to $11.25 billion

16 Jan 2020 Evaluate

Falling for fifth straight month, India’s merchandise exports contracted by 1.80% in December 2019 as compared to same period of last year, on account of a significant fall in shipments of plastic, gems and jewellery, leather products and chemicals. However, trade deficit, gap between imports and exports, narrowed to $11.25 billion in December from $14.49 billion a year ago, helped by lower oil imports.  

As per the data released by the Commerce Ministry, merchandise exports fell by 1.80% to $27.36 billion in December 2019, as compared to $27.86 billion in the same month a year ago. In Rupee terms, it was down by 1.16% to Rs 1,94,764.74 crore in December 2019, as compared to Rs 1,97,044.76 crore in December 2018. Cumulative value of exports for the period April- December 2019-20 was $239.29 billion as against $244.08 billion during the period April- December 2018-19, registering a negative growth of 1.96%. In Rupee terms, it was down by 1.04% to Rs 16,84,558.61 crore from Rs 17,02,261.31 crore.   

Non-petroleum and Non Gems and Jewellery exports in December 2019 were $21.05 billion, as compared to $21.16 billion in December 2018, exhibiting a negative growth of 0.54%.  Non-petroleum and Non Gems and Jewellery exports in April- December 2019-20 were $177.81 billion, as compared to $177.65 billion for the corresponding period in 2018-19, an increase of 0.09%.      

On the other hand, Imports during December 2019, decreased by 8.83% to $38.61 billion as compared to $42.35 billion in December 2018, and in rupee terms it was down by 8.24% to Rs 2,74,883.64 crore from Rs 2,99,553.40 crore in December 2018. Cumulative value of imports for the period April- December 2019-20 was $357.39 billion, as against $392.31 billion during the period April- December 2018-19, registering a negative growth of 8.90%. In rupee terms, it was Rs 25,14,783.82 crore, down by 8.12% from Rs 27,37,092.01 crore in the same period last year.     

Oil imports in December 2019 were $10.69 billion, which were 0.83% lower, compared to $10.78 billion in December 2018. Oil imports in April- December 2019-20 were $95.69 billion which were 11.78% lower compared to $108.47 billion, over the same period last year.  Non-oil imports during December 2019 were estimated at $27.92 billion which was 11.56% lower than non-oil imports of $31.57 billion in December 2018. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports were $25.45 billion in December 2019, down 12.24% over the same period of last year. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports were $238.64 billion in April- December 2019-20, down 7.90%, over the same period of last year.         

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