April–Jan exports hit $720.76 bn as FIEO flags EU, US FTAs as key growth drivers.
India’s exports recorded a robust growth of 6.15% during April–January 2025–26, rising to USD 720.76 billion from USD 679.02 billion in the same period last year, reflecting resilience in external trade despite global uncertainties, according to the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).
Merchandise exports during the period stood at USD 366.63 billion, up 2.20% from USD 358.75 billion in April–January 2024–25. January 2026 alone saw exports surge to USD 80.45 billion, compared with USD 71.09 billion a year earlier, indicating a strong recovery in external demand and improving global trade sentiment.
Commenting on the performance, S C Ralhan, President, FIEO, said the growth underscores the inherent strength and competitiveness of Indian industry. He described the recently concluded free trade agreements with the European Union and the United States as a transformative milestone for India’s trade architecture. With the US remaining India’s largest export destination and Europe a key high-value market, the FTAs are expected to enhance market access, improve tariff competitiveness and provide greater regulatory certainty for exporters.
Ralhan noted that sectors such as engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, leather, gems and jewellery, agriculture and marine products are likely to gain significantly from these agreements. He added that the steady performance of engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, gems and jewellery and agriculture highlights the diversification of India’s export basket and deeper integration into global value chains.
On the import side, overall imports during April–January 2025–26 increased by 6.54% to USD 823.41 billion from USD 772.85 billion a year earlier. Merchandise imports rose 7.21% to USD 649.86 billion. Imports in January 2026 stood at USD 90.83 billion, resulting in a monthly trade deficit of USD 10.45 billion. Mr Ralhan said the rise in imports, particularly petroleum, electronics, machinery and industrial raw materials, signals strong domestic demand and capacity expansion, adding that the deficit remains manageable amid sustained export growth.
Engineering goods, petroleum products, electronic goods, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, chemicals, ready-made garments, cotton yarn and fabrics, handloom products, rice and marine products were among the top export contributors during the period. Key export destinations included the US, UAE, China, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Singapore, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Italy.
FIEO expressed confidence that with continued policy support, effective implementation of the new FTAs and sustained industry resilience, India is well placed to maintain export momentum and strengthen its standing as a reliable partner in global trade.
Source: PR
