English NewsSunday, 15 November 2026
Latest
Arrest warrant issued after absence from coastal statue caseTwo respondents summoned over alleged breach of online-posting orderLandslide alerts cover parts of seven districts until November 12 eveningUnregistered shop signs removed along Adampan main roadCocaine case involving three defendants set for January 25 pre-trial conferenceMirissa guide says viral boat video showed play between friendsWhat could a change of government in Israel mean for relations with India?Sri Lanka keeps electricity tariffs unchanged for final quarterFive-working-day business registration pilot begins in selected Sri Lanka divisionsDrone taxi project takes flight at Colombo Port CityPooja Hegde draws crowds at Colombo fashion-store openingMinistry explains private fuel price flexibility and plans 72 CPC stations
Indian Economy

India goods exports hit US$49.47 billion in October, but imports leave a US$39.88 billion gap

2026-11-15

Illustrative cargo port, not an Indian export terminal or a photograph of October shipments.

India's merchandise exports reached a monthly record of US$49.47 billion in October 2026, rising about 45 percent from US$34.11 billion a year earlier. Imports rose about 16 percent to US$89.35 billion from US$76.69 billion. The resulting US$39.88 billion goods trade deficit was the largest in the current calendar year, but below the US$42.58 billion deficit in October 2025. Rounded headlines of US$50 billion in exports and US$40 billion in deficit refer to those more precise amounts.

Petroleum-product exports rose about 140 percent to US$8.89 billion and electronic-goods exports about 62 percent to US$6.64 billion. Growth extended beyond those categories: non-oil, non-gems-and-jewellery exports rose nearly 32 percent to US$37.38 billion from US$28.11 billion. Imports in that latter grouping increased about 21 percent to US$51.64 billion.

Energy prices lift the import bill as well as export values

Petroleum purchases increased about 54 percent to US$22.81 billion, the largest import category. Electronics imports rose 49.95 percent to US$14.31 billion. Gold imports, by contrast, fell about 62 percent to US$5.51 billion and silver imports declined 28.26 percent to US$1.91 billion. Higher export values should not automatically be read as equal growth in physical shipment volumes, particularly when energy prices have risen.

Goods exports to the United States rose 39.3 percent to US$8.72 billion. Imports from Russia and China increased about 74 percent and 46 percent respectively. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said growth was not confined to one sector or destination. He put estimated combined goods-and-services exports at US$89.99 billion, up 29.90 percent, a separate measure from merchandise alone.

Export-industry representatives pointed to gains across established and newer markets. FIEO president S C Ralhan urged stronger buyer relationships, competitive products and fuller use of preferential trade access. Engineering-export council chairman Pankaj Chadha reported 36 percent growth in engineering exports and saw opportunities in further trade agreements. Those are industry assessments of opportunities, not proof that prospective agreements have already been signed or that every exporter benefited.

More Indian Economy news