Tech, Gems Drive 5.23% Export Growth
New Delhi: India’s trade sector marked a significant achievement as total exports of goods and services reached $277.63 billion from April to July 2025, a 5.23% increase from $263.83 billion during the same period in 2024, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This growth, driven by a wide range of products and strong demand from key global markets, highlights India’s expanding role in international trade.
In July 2025, total exports, combining merchandise and services, amounted to $68.27 billion, up 4.52% from $65.31 billion in July 2024. Merchandise exports for the month grew to $37.24 billion, a 7.29% rise from $34.71 billion, while services exports, estimated pending Reserve Bank of India data, increased to $31.03 billion from $30.60 billion. Imports for July reached $79.99 billion, up 6.07% from $75.41 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $11.72 billion, compared to $10.10 billion the previous year.
For the April to July period, merchandise exports totalled $149.20 billion, a 3.07% increase from $144.76 billion in 2024. Non-petroleum exports showed stronger growth, rising 7.70% to $127.46 billion from $118.34 billion. Excluding both petroleum and gems and jewellery, core exports grew 8.42% to $118.40 billion from $109.22 billion, reflecting strength across diverse sectors. Key contributors in July included electronic goods, which surged 33.89% to $3.77 billion from $2.81 billion, gems and jewellery, up 28.95% to $2.39 billion from $1.85 billion, and engineering goods, which rose 13.75% to $10.43 billion from $9.17 billion. Drugs and pharmaceuticals increased 14.06% to $2.66 billion, and organic and inorganic chemicals grew 7.19% to $2.47 billion.
Several other sectors also recorded notable gains in July 2025. Exports of other cereals soared by 71.97%, coffee jumped 67.46%, and meat, dairy, and poultry products rose 31.19%. Additional growth came from mica, coal, and ores (27.11%), jute manufacturing (26.34%), oil seeds (22.68%), tea (18.97%), marine products (14.02%), cereal preparations (14.49%), ceramic products and glassware (12.27%), rice (10.96%), cashew (10.96%), handicrafts (10%), carpets (8.05%), leather products (7.79%), fruits and vegetables (6.58%), cotton products (5.18%), ready-made garments (4.75%), tobacco (4.51%), plastics (4.39%), man-made yarns (4.05%), and spices (4.01%).
Imports for April to July 2025 totalled $308.91 billion, a 4.25% rise from $296.32 billion, with merchandise imports at $244.01 billion compared to $231.59 billion. Non-petroleum, non-gems and jewellery imports grew 9.00% to $159.80 billion from $146.61 billion. However, some categories saw declines, including pulses, down 51.62%, leather products, down 41.1%, newsprint, down 25.73%, and coal products, down 20.93%. The merchandise trade deficit for the period was $94.80 billion, up from $86.83 billion.
The services sector contributed significantly, with exports estimated at $128.43 billion for April to July, up 7.86% from $119.07 billion, while imports remained nearly flat at $64.90 billion compared to $64.72 billion. This resulted in a services trade surplus of $63.53 billion, an improvement from $54.34 billion in 2024, helping offset the merchandise deficit.
India’s trade growth was bolstered by strong demand from key markets. In July 2025, exports to the USA increased 19.94%, to the UAE 11.69%, to China 27.39%, to Spain 60.12%, and to Hong Kong 66.43%. For the April to July period, top export destinations included the USA (21.64%), China (19.97%), UAE (4.62%), Kenya (64.05%), and Germany (14.37%). Imports in July grew significantly from Saudi Arabia (41.34%), Hong Kong (45.78%), Ireland (375.56%), Peru (249.3%), and the USA (13.78%). For the four-month period, import growth was led by China (13.06%), the UAE (17.67%), Ireland (302.8%), the USA (12.33%), and Hong Kong (36.87%).
The Ministry noted that the services data for July 2025 is estimated and subject to revision based on forthcoming Reserve Bank of India figures. The broad-based growth across sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products, combined with robust trade ties with major economies, paints a vivid picture of India’s dynamic trade landscape.
– global bihari bureau
