NEW DELHI, September 15: India’s total exports of merchandise and services are estimated to have risen 25.41% year-on-year to US$82.68 billion in August 2026, compared with US$65.93 billion in August 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Cumulative exports during April-August 2026-27 are estimated at US$399.27 billion, registering a growth of 15.55% over US$345.55 billion during the corresponding period of 2025-26. (Press Information Bureau)
Total imports during August 2026 stood at an estimated US$92.09 billion, up 18.75% from US$77.55 billion a year earlier. This resulted in an overall trade deficit of US$9.41 billion for the month, compared with US$11.62 billion in August 2025.
For the April-August period, total imports rose 18.01% to US$459.65 billion from US$389.49 billion, taking the cumulative trade deficit to US$60.38 billion, against US$43.94 billion in the corresponding period of 2025-26.
Merchandise exports
Merchandise exports increased 26.10% in August 2026 to US$43.81 billion from US$34.74 billion in August 2025.
During April-August 2026-27, merchandise exports reached US$215.91 billion, compared with US$183.21 billion in the same period last year, registering growth of 17.85%.
Merchandise imports during the five-month period increased to US$363 billion from US$307.09 billion, widening the merchandise trade deficit to US$147.09 billion from US$123.88 billion.
Non-petroleum exports also recorded strong growth. Their cumulative value during April-August 2026-27 stood at US$180.61 billion, up 14.39% from US$157.89 billion in the corresponding period of 2025-26.
Electronics, petroleum and engineering lead growth
Electronic goods emerged as one of the strongest drivers of merchandise export growth in August, with exports rising 89.82% to US$5.55 billion from US$2.93 billion in August 2025.
Petroleum products exports increased 63.27% to US$6.81 billion from US$4.17 billion, while engineering goods exports rose 24.86% to US$12.32 billion from US$9.87 billion.
Exports of organic and inorganic chemicals increased 16.38% to US$2.80 billion from US$2.41 billion.
Exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups and handloom products rose 13.79% to US$1.12 billion from US$0.99 billion.
Other products registering significant growth during August included iron ore, which recorded 126.3% growth; meat, dairy and poultry products (37.08%); handicrafts excluding hand-made carpets (29.63%); marine products (27.76%); plastic and linoleum (18.92%); coffee (17.08%); man-made yarn, fabrics and made-ups (9.92%); and rice (4.12%).
Services exports remain strong
Services exports for August 2026 are estimated at US$38.87 billion, compared with US$31.19 billion in August 2025.
For April-August 2026-27, services exports are estimated at US$183.36 billion, compared with US$162.34 billion during the corresponding period last year, representing growth of about 12.95%.
Services imports during the five-month period stood at US$96.65 billion, compared with US$82.40 billion a year earlier. The estimated services trade surplus consequently increased to US$86.71 billion from US$79.94 billion.
The Ministry has clarified that August 2026 services figures are estimates because the latest actual data released by the Reserve Bank of India are for July 2026.
US, Singapore and China among key export markets
The United States recorded 21.83% growth in India’s exports in August 2026 compared with August 2025.
Among other major destinations, exports to Singapore rose 160.96%, Spain 196.47%, China 52.35% and Tanzania 214.52%.
For the cumulative April-August period, exports to Singapore increased 96.56%, China 38.71%, the United States 6.17%, Tanzania 129% and Malaysia 75.4%.
On the import side, August imports from the United States rose 65.78%, Russia 43.82%, China 17.07%, Oman 157.45% and Taiwan 108.31%.
The Commerce Ministry said the August export performance reflected broad-based growth across several major merchandise categories.
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