India’s exports contract 36% in May; trade deficit narrows to $3.15 billion

16 Jun 2020 Evaluate

Contracting for the third straight month, India’s merchandise exports shrank by 36.47% in May 2020 as compared to same period of last year on weak global demand due to COVID-19, leading to significant decline in shipments by key sectors like engineering, petroleum and textiles. However, the dip in exports during the month under review is low as compared to 60.28 percent fall in April 2020. Trade deficit, gap between imports and exports, narrowed to $3.15 billion in May 2020 from $15.36 billion a year ago.

As per the data released by the Commerce Ministry, merchandise exports fell by 36.47% to $ 19.05 billion in May 2020, as compared to $29.99 billion in the same month a year ago. In Rupee terms, it was down by 31.11% to Rs 1,44,166.01 crore in May 2020, as compared to Rs 2,09,280.62 crore in May 2019. Cumulative value of exports for the period April- May 2020-21 was $29.41 billion as against $56.07 billion during the period April- May 2019-20, registering a negative growth of 47.54%. In Rupee terms, it was down by 42.83% to Rs 2,23,117.42 crore from Rs 3,90,301.96 crore.

Non-petroleum and Non Gems and Jewellery exports in May 2020 were $16.36 billion, as compared to $21.42 billion in May 2019, exhibiting a negative growth of 23.61%. Non-petroleum and Non Gems and Jewellery exports in April- May 2020-21 were $25.44 billion, as compared to $40.96 billion for the corresponding period in 2019-20.

On the other hand, imports during May 2020 too decreased by 51.05% to $22.20 billion as compared to $45.35 billion in May 2019, while in rupee terms it was down by 46.92% to Rs 1,67,977.68 crore from Rs 3,16,448.93 crore in May 2019. Cumulative value of imports for the period April- May 2020-21 was $39.32 billion, as against $86.75 billion during the period April- May 2019-20, registering a negative growth of 54.67%. In rupee terms, it was Rs 2,98,502.76 crore, down by 50.57% from Rs 6,03,881.86 crore in the same period last year. 

Oil imports in May 2020 were $3.49 billion, which were 71.98% lower, compared to $12.44 billion in May 2019. Oil imports in April- May 2020-21 were $8.15 billion which were 65.79% lower compared to $23.82 billion, over the same period last year. Non-oil imports during May 2020 were estimated at $18.71 billion which was 43.13% lower than non-oil imports of $32.91 billion in May 2019. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports were $64 billion in May 2020, down 33.74% over the same period of last year.  Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports were $31.10 billion in April- May 2020-21, down 42.61%, over the same period of last year. 

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