Investigations revealed that India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in May 2023* is estimated to be USD 60.29 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 5.99 per cent over May 2022. 

Overall imports in May 2023* is estimated to be USD 70.64 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 7.45 per cent over May 2022.

India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-May 2023 is estimated to exhibit a negative growth of (-) 5.48 per cent over April-May 2022. Overall imports in April-May 2023 is estimated to exhibit a negative growth of (-) 9.63 per cent over April-May 2022.

India’s trade performance, after witnessing very strong growth in 2022-23 has shown declining trends as compared to high base of last year as the pace of growth in global merchandise exports moderated significantly in 2023, as persisting geopolitical tensions and monetary tightening induced recessionary fears have led to a decline in consumer spending across advanced nations.

Data accessed revealed as follows.

For the month of May 2023, under merchandise exports, 13 of the 30 key sectors exhibited positive growth in May 2023 as compared to same period last year (May 2022). These include Electronic Goods (73.96%), Other Cereals (67.96%), Oil Meals (52.91%), Spices (49.84%), Iron Ore (48.26%), Oil Seeds (25.02%), Fruits & Vegetables (19.91%), Ceramic Products & Glassware (17.36%), Rice (14.27%), Tea (8.81%), Cashew (2.81%), Coffee (1.71%) and Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (0.78%).

Exports of Electronic goods increased by 73.96 percent during May 2023 at USD 2.42 Billion as compared to USD 1.39 Billion in May 2022. During April-May 2023 electronic goods exports were recorded at USD 4.54 Billion as compared to USD 3.06 Billion during April-May 2022, registering a growth of 48.06 percent. 

Enabling policies facilitating greater investment in electronics, mobile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, etc. has resulted in visible growth in these sectors.

Effect of duty withdrawal on Iron Ore is visible on India’s exports of the item which have exhibited positive growth of 48.26 percent during May 2023 over the same month in 2022.

Textiles, Plastic & Linoleum exports continued to decline in May 2023 because of subdued demand due to recessionary effects in major economies. 

The WTO trade growth projection has been revised to 1.7% from earlier projection of 1%, it is anticipated that demand revival is expected from July-August 2023 onwards.

Under merchandise imports, 16 out of 30 key sectors exhibited negative growth in May 2023. These include Silver (-93.92%), Sulphur & Unroasted Iron Pyrites (-81.88%), Cotton Raw & Waste                (-39.81%), Gold (-38.71%), Vegetable Oil  (-33.02%), Pearls, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones                  (-31.62%), Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (-20.26%), Coal, Coke & Briquettes, Etc. (-16.88%), Transport Equipment (-12.85%), Textile Yarn Fabric, Made-Up Articles (-11.93%), Artificial Resins, Plastic Materials, Etc. (-9.17%), Pulp And Waste Paper (-8.4%), Project Goods (-6.04%), Petroleum, Crude & Products (-5.97%), Wood &  Wood Products (-3.4%) and Metaliferrous Ores & Other Minerals (-0.58%).

For April-May 2023, under merchandise exports, 13 of the 30 key sectors exhibited positive growth during April-May 2023 as compared to April-May 2022. These include Oil Meals (74.33%), Electronic Goods (48.06%), Spices (31.81%), Oil Seeds (20.94%), Rice (19%), Ceramic Products & Glassware (17.29%), Fruits & Vegetables (14.13%), Other Cereals (10.43%), Iron Ore (5.24%), Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (5.11%), Tea (3.03%), Coffee (2.98%) and Tobacco (2.01%).

Agricultural exports have been robust, registering promising growth.

Under merchandise imports, 21 of the 30 key sectors exhibited negative growth in April-May 2023 as compared to April-May 2022. These include Silver (-74.8%), Sulphur & Unroasted Iron Pyrites (-69.62%), Project Goods (-50.54%), Gold (-39.32%), Vegetable Oil  (-35.4%), Cotton Raw & Waste (-30.64%), Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (-26.05%), Pearls, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones   (-25.36%), Coal, Coke & Briquettes, Etc. (-22.55%), Textile Yarn Fabric, Made-Up Articles (-14.37%), Fertilisers, Crude & Manufactured (-14.12%), Transport Equipment (-13.76%), Metaliferrous Ores & Other Minerals (-13.23%), Petroleum, Crude & Products (-10.08%), Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Products (-8.78%), Leather & Leather Products (-7.77%), Artificial Resins, Plastic Materials, Etc. (-7.67%), Fruits & Vegetables (-6.55%), Wood & Wood Products (-4.62%), Dyeing/Tanning/Colouring Materials (-2.8%), Chemical Material & Products (-1.81%).

The decline in import value of petroleum, vegetable oil, coal, coke & briquette, etc has been largely on account of decline in commodity prices. Decline in gold import has been largely on account of import duty. 

Silver imports slumped by 93.92 percent from USD 0.45 Billion in May 2022 to USD 0.03 Billion in May 2023. 

Services exports remain strong and projected to grow at 4.01 percent during April-May 2023 over April-May 2022. 

India’s trade deficit has shown considerable decline in April-May 2023. Overall trade deficit for April-May 2023* is estimated at USD 13.28 Billion as compared to the deficit of USD 20.56 Billion during April-May 2022, registering a decline of (-) 35.41 percent. The merchandise trade deficit during April-May 2023 was USD 37.26 Billion compared to USD 40.48 Billion during April-May 2022, registering a decline of (-) 7.95 percent.