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India's Trade Deficit Eases In August

Trade deficit narrowed in August as exports and imports fell sequentially. Annually, exports growth dropped and imports rose.

<div class="paragraphs"><p>A view of a container terminal is seen at Mundra Port, one of the ports handled by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. in Gujarat. (Source: Amit Dave/File Photo/Reuters)</p></div>
A view of a container terminal is seen at Mundra Port, one of the ports handled by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. in Gujarat. (Source: Amit Dave/File Photo/Reuters)

India's trade deficit narrowed in August as exports and imports fell sequentially.

The trade deficit eased to $27.98 billion in August compared to a record high of $30 billion in July, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on Wednesday.

Highlights

  • Exports rose by 1.6% year-on-year to $33.9 billion. On a month-on-month basis, exports fell by 6.5%.

  • Imports rose 37.3% year-on-year to $61.9 billion. On a month-on-month basis, imports fell by 6.6%.

  • Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in August were at $24.88 billion, a fall of 1.6% year-on-year.

  • Non-petroleum, non-gems and jewellery imports were at $37.5 billion, a growth of 40.6% year-on-year.

Key Exports

  • Engineering goods exports stood at $8.3 billion, down 14.2% year-on-year.

  • Petroleum product exports were at $5.7 billion, 22.8% higher than a year earlier.

  • Gems and jewellery exports were at $3.3 billion, 3% lower than the previous year.

  • Organic and inorganic chemical exports were at $2.5 billion, 13.5% higher than last year.

  • Drugs and pharmaceutical exports were at $2.1 billion, 6.8% higher compared to a year earlier.

Key Imports

  • Petroleum, crude and product imports were up 87.4% over a year ago, at $17.7 billion.

  • Imports of coal, coke and briquettes were 133.6% higher than a year ago at $4.5 billion.

  • Electronic goods imports were at $7.3 billion, up 23.3% over the previous year.

  • Machinery, electrical and non-electrical goods were at $3.9 billion, up 33.3% over the previous year.

  • Gold imports stood at $3.6 billion, 46.7% lower than a year ago.