The commerce ministry in its latest data has showed that India’s merchandise exports rose by 13.78 per cent to $43.56 billion in April 2026 as compared to $38.28 billion in April 2025 despite supply-chain disruptions linked to the crisis in West Asia. This is highest monthly outbound shipments in more than four years, driven by petroleum products amid a surge in crude oil prices. Merchandise imports also grew by 10 per cent year-on-year to a six-month high of $71.94 billion in April 2026 as compared to $ 65.38 billion in April 2025.
However, data showed trade deficit (difference between imports and exports) widened to a three-month high of $28.38 billion in April 2026 due to an uptick in imports. The trade deficit was $27.1 billion in April 2025 and $20.67 billion in March 2026.
According to the data, non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in April 2026 were $31.64 billion as compared to $28.66 billion in April 2025. Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in April 2026 were $45.87 billion as compared to $39.75 billion in April 2025.
