India posts 4.45% export growth in April–September 2025 with strong gains in electronics, petroleum, and agri products.
India’s export engine showed robust momentum in the first half of FY26, with total exports (merchandise and services) reaching US$ 413.30 billion during April–September 2025, marking a 4.45% growth compared to US$ 395.71 billion in the same period last year. Imports during the period stood at US$ 472.79 billion, up 3.55% from US$ 456.58 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of US$ 59.48 billion.
Merchandise exports alone touched US$ 220.12 billion, reflecting a 3.02% growth, while non-petroleum exports rose by a healthy 7.04% to US$ 189.49 billion. Key drivers included electronics, petroleum products, engineering goods, rice, marine products, and pharmaceuticals.
September 2025 trade figures showed a similar positive trajectory. Merchandise exports for the month rose to US$ 36.38 billion, compared to US$ 34.08 billion a year earlier. Imports grew to US$ 68.53 billion from US$ 58.74 billion, indicating resilient trade activity.
Sectoral Growth Highlights (September 2025):
- Electronic Goods: +50.54% (US$ 3.12 Bn)
- Petroleum Products: +15.22% (US$ 4.96 Bn)
- Engineering Goods: +2.93% (US$ 10.11 Bn)
- Rice: +33.18% (US$ 0.92 Bn)
- Marine Products: +23.44% (US$ 0.78 Bn)
- Pharmaceuticals: +2.56% (US$ 2.62 Bn)
India’s top export destinations, the UAE, Spain, China, Bangladesh, and Egypt; registered strong growth, with Spain alone surging by 150.81% in September. On the import front, Switzerland, UAE, China, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria were the leading sources, with Nigeria showing an extraordinary 896.11% spike.
In services trade, exports for April–September 2025 reached US$ 193.18 billion, growing 6.12% year-on-year, while imports remained stable at US$ 97.68 billion, resulting in a services trade surplus of US$ 95.50 billion.
Adding to the optimism, the International Monetary Fund has revised India’s 2025 GDP growth projection to 6.6%, reflecting strong economic fundamentals and resilient external trade performance.
“India continues to be a bright spot in the global economy. We will work with stakeholders to sustain this momentum,” the Department of Commerce said in a statement.
With rising exports across key sectors, stable services trade, and improved global positioning, India’s trade outlook for the second half of FY26 remains bullish.
Source: PIB
