Strong goods shipments pushed September exports sharply higher and narrowed the year-on-year trade deficit, even as imports also rose, according to Commerce Ministry data released on 15 October.

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• India's merchandise exports rose 23.04% to $44.40 billion in September 2026, up from $36.08 billion a year earlier.
• Merchandise imports increased to $74.61 billion from $69.08 billion, and the merchandise trade deficit narrowed to $30.21 billion from $33 billion.
• Total exports including services grew 10.99% to an estimated $80.75 billion, while total imports rose to $94.05 billion.
• The combined trade deficit narrowed to $13.30 billion from $14.17 billion a year earlier.
• Services exports for September are estimated at $36.35 billion, slightly below the $36.67 billion recorded a year ago.
• Overall exports of an estimated $242.6 billion in July–September 2026 are the highest ever for a second quarter, according to the ministry.
• Merchandise exports for April–September 2026-27 reached $259.89 billion, up 18.51% from $219.30 billion a year earlier.
• Merchandise exports to the United States rose 11.1% in the first half of the fiscal year, to $50.81 billion.
• Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said electronics, petroleum products and farm goods led the surge in shipments.
• Gold imports fell to $1.8 billion in September from $2.3 billion in August, helping contain the deficit.
• The merchandise deficit widened from $26.86 billion in August on a month-on-month basis.
• India is pursuing trade agreements with key partners, with a pact with Britain in force and a New Zealand deal due to take effect shortly.

Tags: MerchandiseExports, TradeDeficit, IndiaTradeData