Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

India’s 26% goods exports surge lowers August 2026 trade deficit

Summary by The Hindu
According to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, this was the first time that merchandise export growth surpassed growth in imports in percentage as well as absolute value terms

4 Articles

"Export growth momentum accelerated further in August," says Commerce Secretary Agrawal as trade deficit narrows

India's overall trade deficit narrowed sharply to USD 9.41 billion in August 2026 from USD 11.62 billion a year earlier, even as total exports surged 25.4 per cent year-on-year to USD 82.68 billion, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said, pointing to strengthening export momentum and diversification across commodities and global markets. The export growth momentum accelerated further in August, Agrawal said, noting that overall exports had risen from USD 65.93 billion in August 2025 to USD 82.68 billion this year. The trade data released on Tuesday showed merchandise exports at USD 43.81 billion in August 2026, up 26.12 per cent from USD 34.74 billion a year earlier. Merchandise imports stood at USD 70.67 billion, resulting in a merchandise trade deficit of USD 26.86 billion, lower than USD 27.20 billion in August 2025. Agrawal said the decline in both the overall and merchandise trade deficits was a positive development. Overall trade deficit has also gone down substantially in the current August month, he said, while noting that the merchandise trade deficit had also declined from the previous year. Energy products, including petroleum, crude oil and coal, coke and briquettes, remained among the major contributors to the trade deficit during the first five months, while electronic goods were another significant driver of import growth. On the export front, Agrawal said the strong performance was being driven by a dynamic mix of commodities and key partner countries, with engineering goods, petroleum products, chemicals and textiles performing well. Electronic goods exports rose around 30 per cent in the first five months, engineering goods more than 20 per cent, organic and inorganic chemicals 14 per cent and marine products more than 14 per cent. He also highlighted the diversification of India's export markets. Exports to China rose 39 per cent, Singapore more than 97 per cent, South Africa 58 per cent and Malaysia more than 75 per cent. BRICS exports grew 13.3 per cent to USD 34.5 billion during the first five months. Agrawal said the export surge was not merely value-led, but also reflected higher volumes. Of 168 principal commodities, 68 recorded both volume and value growth, indicating that the expansion was supported by stronger manufacturing and increased shipment volumes rather than being driven solely by price effects. (ANI)

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

The Hindu broke the news in Chennai, India on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal