Date: 2026-05-15Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Total exports (merchandise & services) during April 2026 is estimated at US$ 80.80 Billion, as compared to US$ 71.13 Billion during April 2025, an estimated growth of 13.59 %
**Executive Summary**
This report by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry provides estimated trade data for April 2026, highlighting a 13.59% growth in total exports to US$ 80.80 billion compared to April 2025. The document details performance across merchandise and services sectors, noting a narrowing overall trade deficit to US$ 7.81 billion. Released on May 15, 2026, the report serves as an official update on India's international trade trajectory and sectoral growth drivers.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Overall Trade Performance**
* Total exports (merchandise and services combined) for April 2026 are estimated at US$ 80.80 billion, a 13.59% increase over April 2025.
* Total imports are estimated at US$ 88.61 billion, registering a growth of 7.67%.
* The overall trade balance improved, moving from -US$ 11.16 billion in April 2025 to -US$ 7.81 billion in April 2026.
* **Merchandise Trade Highlights**
* Merchandise exports reached US$ 43.56 billion, reflecting a 13.78% growth.
* Merchandise imports rose to US$ 71.94 billion from US$ 65.38 billion in the previous year.
* Non-petroleum exports increased by 9.01%, valued at US$ 33.97 billion.
* Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports were US$ 31.64 billion, compared to US$ 28.66 billion in April 2025.
* **Sectoral Export Drivers**
* Other Cereals recorded the highest growth at 210.19%.
* Meat, Dairy & Poultry Products grew by 48.03% (to US$ 0.55 billion).
* Electronic Goods exports surged by 40.31% (to US$ 5.18 billion).
* Petroleum Products increased by 34.66% (to US$ 9.59 billion).
* Engineering Goods and Drugs & Pharmaceuticals grew by 8.76% and 7.12%, respectively.
* **Import Trends**
* Significant negative growth was recorded in imports of Chemical Material & Products (-35.4%), Pulses (-29.69%), and Pearls, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones (-15.96%).
* Petroleum, Crude & Products imports also saw a decline of 10.03%.
* **Services Trade**
* Estimated services exports grew by 13.36% to US$ 37.24 billion.
* Estimated services imports decreased slightly to US$ 16.66 billion from US$ 16.91 billion in April 2025.
* **Geographic Trade Partners**
* Top export destinations by growth: Singapore (179.18%), Tanzania (157.63%), and Sri Lanka (214.65%).
* Top import sources by growth: Oman (246.42%), Peru (315.56%), and Saudi Arabia (30.29%).
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Exporters**
**Impact**
Exporters in high-growth sectors, particularly Electronics, Cereals, and Meat/Dairy, are seeing substantial increases in value. There is also a notable shift toward markets like Singapore and Sri Lanka.
**Action Required**
Exporters should continue to leverage growth in these high-performing sectors and target the identified high-growth destinations to sustain momentum.
**Stakeholder: Indian Importers**
**Impact**
Importers of chemicals, pulses, and precious stones are experiencing a contraction in trade volume/value. Conversely, there is a massive surge in the value of imports sourced from Oman and Peru.
**Action Required**
Importers should analyze the drivers behind the steep growth in specific regions (Oman/Peru) and the decline in traditional categories like chemicals to adjust procurement strategies.
**Stakeholder: Government of India (Ministry of Commerce & Industry / RBI)**
**Impact**
The data shows a narrowing trade deficit and strong merchandise growth. However, services data for April 2026 remains an estimation based on March 2026 RBI figures.
**Action Required**
The Ministry and RBI must monitor the transition from estimated services data to actual figures to ensure the accuracy of the final balance of payments.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce & Industry: The primary government body responsible for compiling and releasing India's trade data, including merchandise and services exports and imports.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI): The central bank cited as the official source for data regarding India's services sector trade performance.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Total exports (merchandise & services) during
April 2026 is estimated at US$ 80.80 Billion, as
compared to US$ 71.13 Billion during April 2025,
an estimated growth of 13.59 %
Merchandise exports during April 2026 were US$ 43.56
Billion, as compared to US$ 38.28 Billion during April 2025,
registering a positive growth of 13.78%
Non-Petroleum exports during April 2026 valued at US$ 33.97
Billion registered an increase of 9.01% as compared to US$
31.16 Billion during April 2025
Major drivers of merchandise exports growth in April 2026
include Petroleum Products, Electronic Goods, Engineering
Goods, Meat, Dairy & Poultry Products and Drugs &
Pharmaceuticals
Petroleum Products exports increased by 34.66 % from US$
7.12 Billion in April 2025 to US$ 9.59 Billion in April 2026
Electronic Goods exports increased by 40.31 % from US$
3.69 Billion in April 2025 to US$ 5.18 Billion in April 2026
Engineering Goods exports increased by 8.76 % from US$
9.52 Billion in April 2025 to US$ 10.35 Billion in April 2026
Meat, Dairy & Poultry Products exports increased by 48.03 %
from US$ 0.37 Billion in April 2025 to US$ 0.55 Billion in April
2026
Drugs & Pharmaceuticals exports increased by 7.12 % from
US$ 2.49 Billion in April 2025 to US$ 2.66 Billion in April 2026
Posted On: 15 MAY 2026 3:36PM by PIB DelhiIndia’s total exports (Merchandise and Services combined) for April 2026* is estimated at US$ 80.80
Billion, registering a positive growth of 13.59 percent vis-à-vis April 2025. Total imports
(Merchandise and Services combined) for April 2026* is estimated at US$ 88.61 Billion, registering a
positive growth of 7.67 percent vis-à-vis April 2025.
Table 1: Trade during April 2026*
April 2026 April 2025
(US$ Billion) (US$ Billion)
Merchandise Exports 43.56 38.28
Imports 71.94 65.38
Services* Exports 37.24 32.85
Imports 16.66 16.91
Total Trade Exports 80.80 71.13
(Merchandise +Services) *
Imports 88.61 82.29
Trade Balance -7.81 -11.16
* Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for March 2026. The data for April 2026 is
an estimation. (ii) Data for April 2025 has been revised on pro-rata basis using quarterly balance of
payments data.
Fig 1: Total Trade during April 2026*
MERCHANDISE TRADE
Merchandise exports during April 2026 were US$ 43.56 Billion as compared to US$ 38.28 Billion in April
2025.
Merchandise imports during April 2026 were US$ 71.94 Billion as compared to US$ 65.38 Billion in
April 2025.
Fig 2: Merchandise Trade during April 2026Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in April 2026 were US$ 31.64 Billion compared to
US$ 28.66 Billion in April 2025.
Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in April 2026 were US$
45.87 Billion compared to US$ 39.75 Billion in April 2025.
Table 2: Trade excluding Petroleum and Gems & Jewellery during April 2026
April 2025 (US$
April 2026
Billion)
(US$ Billion)
Non- petroleum exports 33.97 31.16
Non- petroleum imports 53.32 44.68
Non-petroleum & Non-Gems & Jewellery exports 31.64 28.66
Non-petroleum & Non-Gems & Jewellery imports 45.87 39.75
Note: Gems & Jewellery Imports include Gold, Silver & Pearls, precious & Semi-precious stones
Fig 3: Trade excluding Petroleum and Gems & Jewellery during April 2026
SERVICES TRADE
The estimated value of services export for April 2026* is US$ 37.24 Billion as compared to US$ 32.85
Billion in April 2025.
The estimated value of services imports for April 2026* is US$ 16.66 Billion as compared to US$ 16.91
Billion in April 2025.
Fig 4: Services Trade during April 2026*Exports of Other Cereals (210.19%), Meat, Dairy & Poultry Products (48.03%), Electronic Goods
(40.31%), Petroleum Products (34.66%), Handicrafts Excl. Hand Made Carpet (26.21%), Marine
Products (14.74%), Mica, Coal & Other Ores, Minerals Including Processed Minerals (13.85%),
Iron Ore (11.46%), Oil Seeds (11.32%), Carpet (9.93%), Engineering Goods (8.76%), Coffee
(7.51%), Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (7.31%), Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (7.12%), Plastic &
Linoleum (5.28%), Man-Made Yarn/Fabs./Made-Ups Etc. (2.34%), Cotton Yarn/Fabs./Made-Ups,
Handloom Products Etc. (0.57%) and Leather & Leather Products (0.36%) record positive growth
during April 2026 over the corresponding month of last year.
Imports of Chemical Material & Products (-35.4%), Pulses (-29.69%), Pearls, Precious & Semi-
Precious Stones (-15.96%), Newsprint (-12.54%), Petroleum, Crude & Products (-10.03%), Wood
& Wood Products (-8.36%), Textile Yarn Fabric, Made-Up Articles (-7.17%), Cotton Raw & Waste
(-6.1%), Iron & Steel (-4.71%), Machine Tools (-0.73%) and Pulp And Waste Paper (-0.24%) record
negative growth during April 2026 over the corresponding month of last year.
Services exports is estimated to grow by 13.36 percent during April 2026* over April 2025.
Top 5 export destinations, in terms of change in value, exhibiting positive growth in April 2026 vis a
vis April 2025 are Singapore (179.18%), Tanzania Rep (157.63%), Sri Lanka Dsr (214.65%),
Bangladesh Pr (64.16%) & Hong Kong (90.61%).
Top 5 import sources, in terms of change in value, exhibiting growth in April 2026 vis a vis April
2025 are China P Rp (20.85%), Russia (18.21%), Oman (246.42%), Peru (315.56%) & Saudi Arab
(30.29%).
*Link for Quick Estimates
Exim Summery
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan
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