Friday, 20 Jun, 2025
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In April, exports amounted to $38.49 billion, while imports reached $64.91 billion, compared to March figures of $41.97 billion in exports and $63.51 billion in imports.
Indian exporters began the fiscal year on a strong footing, with exports in April 2025 climbing 9.03 percent year-on-year to $38.49 billion, driven by strong performance in engineering goods, petroleum products, and electronics. However, the trade deficit widened to a five-month high of $26.42 billion due to a steeper rise in imports. In April, exports amounted to $38.49 billion, while imports reached $64.91 billion, compared to March figures of $41.97 billion in exports and $63.51 billion in imports. Oil imports increased to $20.72 billion in April from $19 billion in March, whereas gold imports declined to $3.1 billion from $4.4 billion the previous month. The trade deficit recorded in April was the highest since November 2024.
Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Global trade and supply chains have been disrupted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff increases on various trading partners. While India’s Purchasing Managers’ Index had signaled a rise in export orders, official trade figures reveal that April’s exports were still below March levels, indicating that exporters made only modest efforts to advance shipments to the U.S. during the 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs on India and other countries. On Thursday, Trump mentioned that a trade agreement with India is nearing completion. Exports to the U.S. surged 27 percent in April to $8.42 billion, up from $6.61 billion a year earlier. Electronics, particularly mobile phones, recorded the highest annual growth, with a 33 percent increase in April.
Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
India’s nominal GDP for FY25 is projected at ₹33.10 lakh crore (US$ 3.8 trillion), reflecting a growth rate of 9.9 percent compared to ₹30.12 lakh crore (US$ 3.5 trillion) in FY24. This growth is largely driven by robust domestic demand for both consumption and investment, along with the government’s continued focus on capital expenditure, especially in the second half of the fiscal year. In FY25, total exports reached ₹37.31 lakh crore (US$ 433.56 billion), with Engineering Goods (26.88 percent), Petroleum Products (13.86 percent), and Electronic Goods (8.89 percent) emerging as the top three export categories.
India’s export sector saw an impressive start to FY25, with a wide range of products registering strong year-on-year growth in April 2025. Topping the list was Tobacco, which soared by a remarkable 66.43 percent, followed by Coffee at 47.85 percent and Electronic Goods at 39.51 percent.
The mining and minerals category, including Mica, Coal, and other Ores and Processed Minerals, grew by 34.43 percent, while Fruits and Vegetables saw a healthy rise of 30.72 percent. Marine Products were up by 17.81 percent, Tea exports grew 15.93 percent, and Meat, Dairy & Poultry Products climbed 15.85 percent.
Ready-made Garments of all textiles rose 14.43 percent, and Rice exports increased by 13.63 percent. Engineering Goods, a major export driver, posted an 11.28 percent growth, while Gems & Jewellery followed closely at 10.74 percent.
Other notable performers included Spices (8.38 percent), Cereal Preparations & Miscellaneous Processed Items (7.71 percent), Petroleum Products (4.68 percent), and Jute Manufactures including Floor Coverings (4.58 percent). Plastic & Linoleum also grew by 4.58 percent, with Man-Made Yarn/Fabrics/Made-Ups increasing 4.18 percent.
Leather & Leather Products rose 3.91 percent, Carpets by 3.32 percent, and Drugs & Pharmaceuticals by 2.37 percent. Even traditional categories like Cotton Yarn/Fabrics/Made-Ups, including Handloom Products, saw a modest growth of 1.71 percent. Ceramic Products & Glassware rounded off the list with a 0.23 percent rise.
These positive trends signal strong momentum for India’s exports across diverse sectors, reflecting resilience and growing global demand.
