India’s Merchandise Exports Rise 26.12 Per Cent in August

New Delhi: India’s merchandise exports surged by 26.12 per cent year-on-year to reach USD 43.81 billion in August 2026. According to data released by the Commerce Ministry, a sharp rise in refined petroleum product shipments propelled the monthly expansion. Concurrently, a 57.7 per cent drop in gold imports helped narrow the monthly trade deficit to a five-month low of USD 26.86 billion.

 [August Exports: USD 43.81 Bn (+26.12%)] ──▶ Driven by Petroleum & Engineering Goods
                                                                 │
 [Trade Deficit Narrows to USD 26.86 Bn]  ◀──( Gold Imports Drop 57.7% )───────┘

Fastest Export Growth Rate Since June 2022

Significantly, the August performance represents the highest monthly export growth rate recorded since June 2022, when shipments expanded by 30.12 per cent.

Total merchandise imports increased by 14.1 per cent year-on-year to USD 70.76 billion during August. Furthermore, global Brent crude oil prices fluctuated between USD 90 and USD 94 per barrel throughout the month, elevating overall energy trade values.

Key Trade Performance Metrics (April–August 2026):

• Five-Month Export Outlay: Jumped 17.85 per cent to USD 215.91 billion.

• Five-Month Import Outlay: Climbed 18.21 per cent to USD 363.00 billion.

• Cumulative Five-Month Deficit: Widened to USD 147.09 billion (up from USD 123.88 billion).

• Gold Import Inflow: Declined sharply to USD 2.3 billion in August from USD 5.4 billion.

• BRICS Trade Expansion: Exports to BRICS states rose 13.3 per cent to USD 34.5 billion.

Expanding Footprint Across Western and Emerging Markets

Briefing the media in New Delhi, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal highlighted that export growth momentum is building steadily in both value and volume terms.

                  [DRIVERS OF RECENT TRADE MOVEMENTS]
   ┌────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────┐
   ▼                                ▼                                ▼
[Export Growth Pillars]          [Import Growth Drivers]          [Key Export Destinations]
Petroleum, engineering goods,    Crude oil (USD 95.57 Bn) and     US, EU, BRICS, and emerging 
chemicals, and textiles          electronics (USD 66.48 Bn)       economic markets globally

Agarwal explained that robust domestic industrial expansion and high energy demand continue to drive raw material imports. However, expanding shipments to the United States, the European Union, and BRICS nations are strengthening India’s strategic trade integration and market diversification.

Trade Statistics Overview (April–August 2026)

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