India’s merchandise exports in January 2021 were USD 27.24 billion as compared to USD 25.85 billion in January 2020, an increase of 5.37%. Exports during April-January 2020-21 were USD 228.04 billion, as compared to USD 264.13 billion during the same period last year, exhibiting a negative growth of 13.66%.

India’s merchandise imports in January 2021were USD 41.99 billion, as compared to USD 41.15 billion in January 2020, an increase of 2.05%. Merchandise imports during April-January 2020-21 were USD 300.26 billion, as compared to USD 405.33 billion during the same period last year, exhibiting a negative growth of 25.92%.

India is thus a net importer in January 2021, with a trade deficit of USD 14.75 billion, as compared to trade deficit of USD 15.30 billion in January 2020, declined by 3.57%.

In January 2021, the value of non-petroleum exports was USD 25.24 billion, registering a positive growth of 11.37% over January 2020. The value of non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in January 2021 was USD 22.40 billion as compared to USD 19.79 billion in January 2020, registering a positivegrowth of 13.21%. The cumulative value of non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in April-January 2020-21 was USD 188.73 billion, as compared to USD 197.94 billion for the corresponding period in 2019-20, exhibiting a decrease of 4.65%.

In January 2021, Oil imports were USD 9.40 billion, as compared to USD 13.01 billion in January 2020, a decline by 27.72%. Oil imports in April-January 2020-21 were USD 63.09 billion, as compared to USD 109.72 billion in April-January 2019-20, showing a decline of 42.48%.

Non-oil imports in January 2021 were estimated at USD 32.59 billion, as compared to USD 28.14 billion in January 2020, showing an increase of 15.81%. Non-oil imports in April-January 2020-21 were USD 237.17 billion, as compared to USD 295.61 billion in April-January 2019-20, registering a decline of 19.77%.

Non-oil, non-GJ (gold, silver &Precious metals) imports were USD 26.35 billion in January 2021, recording a positive growth of 5.94%, as compared to non-oil and non-GJ imports of USD 24.87 billion in January 2020. Non-oil and non-GJ imports were USD 201.69 billion in April-January 2020-21, recording a negative growth of 19.27%, as compared to non-oil and non-GJ imports of USD 249.83 billion in April-January 2019-20.

Major commodities of export which have recorded positive growth during January 2021 vis-à-vis January 2020 are: Other cereals (313.88%), Oil meals (253.06%), Iron ore (108.66%), Cereal preparations and miscellaneous processed item (43.62%), Jute mfg. Including floor covering (27.64%),Tobacco (26.18%), Rice (25.86%), Fruits and vegetables (24.00%), Carpet (23.69%), Handicrafts excl. Hand-made carpet (21.92%),Spices (20.35%), Ceramic products and glassware (19.01%),Engineering goods (18.69%),Drugs and pharmaceuticals (16.42%), Electronic Goods (16.00%), Tea (13.35%), Cashew (11.82%), Plastic and linoleum (10.42%), Mica, coal and other ores, minerals including process (9.59%),Cotton yarn/fabrics/made-ups, handloom products etc. (6.94%),Coffee (4.84%), and Organic and Inorganic Chemicals (2.54%).

Major commodities of export which have recorded negative growth during January 2021 vis-à-vis January 2020 are Petroleum products (37.34%), Leather and leather manufactures (18.60%), RMG of All Textiles (10.73%), Man-made yarn/fabrics/made-ups etc. (9.62%),Meat, dairy and poultry products (8.03%), Oil Seeds (6.48%),Marine products (1.72%), and Gems and Jewellery (1.26%).

Major commodity groups of import showing positive growth in January 2021 over the corresponding month of last year are: Gold (154.70%), Pulses (96.56%), Sulphur & Unroasted Iron Pyrites (76.81%), Pearls, precious & Semi-precious stones (50.20%), Cotton Raw & Waste (49.76%), Vegetable Oil (35.32%), Iron & Steel (25.95%), Artificial resins, plastic materials, etc. (20.90%), Chemical material & products (18.76%), Non-ferrous metals (17.73%), Electronic goods (16.98%),Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (15.61%),Coal, Coke & Briquettes, etc. (9.67%),Dyeing/ tanning/ colouring materials (4.50%), Wood & Wood products (2.81%), Medcnl. & Pharmaceutical products (1.23%),  Machine tools (0.60%), and Textile yarn Fabric, made-up articles (0.52%).

Major commodity groups of import showing negative growth in January 2021 over the corresponding month of last year are: Silver (95.77%), Newsprint (80.81%), Project Goods (62.16%), Leather & leather products (37.73%), Petroleum, Crude & products (27.72%), Transport equipment (25.26%), Pulp and Waste paper (12.74%), Fertilisers, Crude & manufactured (11.57%), Professional instrument, Optical goods, etc. (10.33%), Metaliferrous ores & other minerals (4.57%), Machinery, electrical & non-electrical (1.38%), and Fruits & vegetables (0.08%).

MERCHANDISE TRADE: Preliminary Data, January 2021

Summary Value in USD Billion

Change by top Commodity Groups

Value in USD Million

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YB/SS