The commerce ministry in its latest data has showed that India’s merchandise exports rose marginally by 0.61 per cent to $36.56 billion in January 2026 as compared to $36.34 billion in January 2025. Merchandise imports rose 19.2 per cent - the highest so far this fiscal - to a three-month high of $71.24 billion in January 2026 as compared to $59.77 billion recorded a year ago, driven by a sharp rise in inbound shipments of gold and silver due to higher prices. As a result, trade deficit (difference between imports and exports) widened to a three-month high of $34.68 billion in January 2026 from $23.43 billion a year ago.
According to the data, cumulatively, merchandise exports during April-January 2025-26 were $366.63 billion as compared to $358.75 billion during April-January 2024-25. Merchandise imports during April-January 2025-26 were $649.86 billion as compared to $606.13 billion during April-January 2024-25. Merchandise trade deficit during April-January 2025-26 was $283.23 billion as compared to $247.38 billion during April-January 2024-25.
Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in January 2026 were $30.47 billion as compared to $29.86 billion in January 2025. Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in April-January 2025-26 were $297.41 billion, compared to $281.59 billion in April-January 2024-25. Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in January 2026 were $42.56 billion compared to $41.53 billion in January 2025. Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in April-January 2025-26 were $414.52 billion, compared to $381.21 billion in April-January 2024-25.
MoneyWorks4Me is a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (IA) dedicated to helping investors build long-term wealth through transparent, research-driven, conflict-free guidance. Founded in 2008, we started our journey as a Research Analyst (RA), providing deep fundamental analysis, intrinsic value insights, and long-term investing frameworks for Indian equities. In 2017, we transitioned to a full-fledged SEBI-registered Investment Adviser, strengthening our commitment to acting as a fiduciary—always putting the investor’s interest first.
To become India’s most trusted, research-powered fiduciary advisory platform—where every investor, regardless of experience, can make calm, confident, and well-reasoned investment decisions.
MoneyWorks4Me ensures this through: