Archive · 12 Aug 2026
India's Merchandise Exports Hit Record High of $129.6 Billion
India made a new record by selling more things to other countries than ever before in one three-month period.
From April to June, India exported $129.54 billion worth of goods.
That was 16.1 percent more than in the same three months a year earlier.
During the same time, India also bought many things from other countries.
The difference between what India buys and sells is called a trade deficit.
In June, that gap was $30.4 billion, the biggest it had been in five months.
A minister named Jitin Prasada told India's Parliament not to worry about it.
He explained that India needs to import things like oil, machines, electronics, and gold to keep factories and farms working.
He said one single month's numbers do not tell the whole story.
The government believes this shows India's economy is strong even when world trade is difficult.
India posted its highest-ever quarterly merchandise exports of $129.54 billion in Q1 (April-June) of FY 2026-27.
Exports grew 16.1% from $111.6 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.
The June 2026 merchandise trade deficit of $30.4 billion was a five-month high, marginally above the 12-month average of $29.3 billion.
Minister of State Jitin Prasada told Parliament the wider deficit reflects higher imports of essential goods, not structural weakness.
Petroleum products account for about 26% of India's imports, while machinery, capital and electronic goods make up nearly one-fourth and gold and precious stones about 14%.
- Who
- India's government, with Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada informing Parliament in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
- What
- India recorded its highest-ever quarterly merchandise exports of $129.54 billion in Q1 FY 2026-27, up 16.1% year-on-year, alongside a June 2026 merchandise trade deficit of $30.4 billion.
- When
- April-June 2026 (Q1 of fiscal year 2026-27); the data was disclosed to Parliament on a Tuesday, with the exact date not given.
- Where
- India; the announcement was made in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, in New Delhi.
- Why
- Robust export growth reflects the underlying strength of India's trade performance amid a challenging global environment, and the wider deficit is attributed to higher imports of essential and productive goods.
- Record quarterly merchandise exports
- $129.54 billion (April-June, FY 2026-27)
- Year-on-year export growth
- 16.1%
- Exports in Q1 of previous year
- $111.6 billion
- June 2026 merchandise trade deficit
- $30.4 billion (five-month high)
- 12-month average trade deficit
- $29.3 billion
- Petroleum products share of imports
- About 26% in FY 2025-26
- Machinery, capital and electronic goods share of imports
- Nearly one-fourth
- Gold and precious stones share of imports
- About 14%