Business · Trade · 6 hrs ago
India’s September goods exports rise 23% as trade deficit narrows
India’s goods exports rose 23% to $44.4 billion in September compared with the same month last year.
The growth was led by electronics, engineering goods and petroleum products, while imports rose 8% to $74.61 billion.
A sharp fall in gold and silver shipments helped narrow the trade deficit to $30.21 billion, down from $33 billion a year earlier.
The deficit was still wider than August’s $26.86 billion, showing that the monthly trade balance can shift.
From April to September, exports grew 18.51% to $259.89 billion, while imports rose 16.31% to $437.53 billion.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said exports could exceed $500 billion for the full year if last year’s pattern of stronger second-half shipments continues.
India’s goods exports rose 23.04% year on year to $44.40 billion in September 2026.
The trade deficit narrowed to $30.21 billion from $33 billion a year earlier.
Imports grew 8% to $74.61 billion, with gold imports down 81.27% year on year.
Engineering goods, chemicals, petroleum products and electronics helped drive export growth.
The September deficit was higher than the $26.86 billion recorded in August.
- Who
- India’s goods exporters and importers.
- What
- Goods exports increased 23.04% to $44.40 billion, while the trade deficit narrowed to $30.21 billion.
- When
- September 2026; the data was released on October 15.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Export growth was driven by sectors including engineering goods, chemicals, petroleum products and electronics, while imports grew more slowly amid a sharp drop in gold shipments.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
India’s trade deficit was $26.86 billion.
Goods exports reached $44.40 billion and the trade deficit was $30.21 billion.
The September trade data was released.
- Goods exports
- $44.40 billion in September 2026
- Year-on-year export growth
- 23.04%
- Imports
- $74.61 billion in September 2026
- Trade deficit
- $30.21 billion in September 2026
- Gold imports
- Down 81.27% year on year to $1.8 billion
2 sources
What people are saying
The trend of export growth has continued. Export growth in Q2 was higher than in Q1. Goods exports were much more robust in Q2.
The priority now is to translate this momentum into sustained orders and deeper market penetration. With an enabling policy environment, India can expand high-value and technology-intensive exports, build on its traditional strengths and strengthen its participation in global value chains.
This high double-digit growth shows that the country's engineering sector can withstand external shocks.