India’s merchandise trade: preliminary data for january 2021
India’s merchandise exports in January 2021 were USD 27.24 billion as compared to USD 25.85 billion in January 2020, an increase of 5.37%.
India’s merchandise imports in January 2021 were USD 41.99 billion as compared to USD 41.15 billion in January 2020, an increment of 2.05%.
India is a net importer in January 2021 with a trade deficit of USD 14.75 billion, as compared to trade deficit of USD 15.30 billion in January 2020, declined by 3.57%.
Value of non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in January 2021 was USD 22.40 billion as compared to USD 19.79 billion in January 2020, a positive growth of 13.21%.
Non-oil, non-GJ (gold, silver & Precious metals) imports were USD 26.35 billion in January 2021, as compared to non-oil and non-GJ imports of USD 24.87 billion in January 2020, also a positive growth of 5.94%.
Top 5 commodity groups of export which recorded positive growth during January 2021 vis-à-vis January 2020 are: Other Cereals (313.88%), Oil meals (253.06%), Iron Ore (108.66%), Cereal preparations and miscellaneous processed item(43.62%), and Jute manufacturing including floor covering(27.64%).
Top 5 commodity groups of import showing a fall in January 2021vis-à-vis January 2020: Silver (-95.77%), Newsprint (-80.81%), Project Good (-62.16), Leather & leather products (-37.73%), and Petroleum, Crude & products (-27.72).
India’s merchandise exports in January 2021 were USD 27.24 billion as compared to USD 25.85 billion in January 2020, an increase of 5.37%. Exports during April-January 2020-21 were USD 228.04 billion, as compared to USD 264.13 billion during the same period last year, exhibiting a negative growth of 13.66%.
India’s merchandise imports in January 2021were USD 41.99 billion, as compared to USD 41.15 billion in January 2020, an increase of 2.05%. Merchandise imports during April-January 2020-21 were USD 300.26 billion, as compared to USD 405.33 billion during the same period last year, exhibiting a negative growth of 25.92%.
India is thus a net importer in January 2021, with a trade deficit of USD 14.75 billion, as compared to trade deficit of USD 15.30 billion in January 2020, declined by 3.57%.
In January 2021, the value of non-petroleum exports was USD 25.24 billion, registering a positive growth of 11.37% over January 2020. The value of non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in January 2021 was USD 22.40 billion as compared to USD 19.79 billion in January 2020, registering a positivegrowth of 13.21%. The cumulative value of non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in April-January 2020-21 was USD 188.73 billion, as compared to USD 197.94 billion for the corresponding period in 2019-20, exhibiting a decrease of 4.65%.
In January 2021, Oil imports were USD 9.40 billion, as compared to USD 13.01 billion in January 2020, a decline by 27.72%. Oil imports in April-January 2020-21 were USD 63.09 billion, as compared to USD 109.72 billion in April-January 2019-20, showing a decline of 42.48%.
Non-oil imports in January 2021 were estimated at USD 32.59 billion, as compared to USD 28.14 billion in January 2020, showing an increase of 15.81%. Non-oil imports in April-January 2020-21 were USD 237.17 billion, as compared to USD 295.61 billion in April-January 2019-20, registering a decline of 19.77%.
Non-oil, non-GJ (gold, silver &Precious metals) imports were USD 26.35 billion in January 2021, recording a positive growth of 5.94%, as compared to non-oil and non-GJ imports of USD 24.87 billion in January 2020. Non-oil and non-GJ imports were USD 201.69 billion in April-January 2020-21, recording a negative growth of 19.27%, as compared to non-oil and non-GJ imports of USD 249.83 billion in April-January 2019-20.
Major commodities of export which have recorded positive growth during January 2021 vis-à-vis January 2020 are: Other cereals (313.88%), Oil meals (253.06%), Iron ore (108.66%), Cereal preparations and miscellaneous processed item (43.62%), Jute mfg. Including floor covering (27.64%),Tobacco (26.18%), Rice (25.86%), Fruits and vegetables (24.00%), Carpet (23.69%), Handicrafts excl. Hand-made carpet (21.92%),Spices (20.35%), Ceramic products and glassware (19.01%),Engineering goods (18.69%),Drugs and pharmaceuticals (16.42%), Electronic Goods (16.00%), Tea (13.35%), Cashew (11.82%), Plastic and linoleum (10.42%), Mica, coal and other ores, minerals including process (9.59%),Cotton yarn/fabrics/made-ups, handloom products etc. (6.94%),Coffee (4.84%), and Organic and Inorganic Chemicals (2.54%).
Major commodities of export which have recorded negative growth during January 2021 vis-à-vis January 2020 are Petroleum products (37.34%), Leather and leather manufactures (18.60%), RMG of All Textiles (10.73%), Man-made yarn/fabrics/made-ups etc. (9.62%),Meat, dairy and poultry products (8.03%), Oil Seeds (6.48%),Marine products (1.72%), and Gems and Jewellery (1.26%).
Major commodity groups of import showing positive growth in January 2021 over the corresponding month of last year are: Gold (154.70%), Pulses (96.56%), Sulphur & Unroasted Iron Pyrites (76.81%), Pearls, precious & Semi-precious stones (50.20%), Cotton Raw & Waste (49.76%), Vegetable Oil (35.32%), Iron & Steel (25.95%), Artificial resins, plastic materials, etc. (20.90%), Chemical material & products (18.76%), Non-ferrous metals (17.73%), Electronic goods (16.98%),Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (15.61%),Coal, Coke & Briquettes, etc. (9.67%),Dyeing/ tanning/ colouring materials (4.50%), Wood & Wood products (2.81%), Medcnl. & Pharmaceutical products (1.23%), Machine tools (0.60%), and Textile yarn Fabric, made-up articles (0.52%).
Major commodity groups of import showing negative growth in January 2021 over the corresponding month of last year are: Silver (95.77%), Newsprint (80.81%), Project Goods (62.16%), Leather & leather products (37.73%), Petroleum, Crude & products (27.72%), Transport equipment (25.26%), Pulp and Waste paper (12.74%), Fertilisers, Crude & manufactured (11.57%), Professional instrument, Optical goods, etc. (10.33%), Metaliferrous ores & other minerals (4.57%), Machinery, electrical & non-electrical (1.38%), and Fruits & vegetables (0.08%).
MERCHANDISE TRADE: Preliminary Data, January 2021
Summary Value in USD Billion
| Total | Non-Petroleum | Non- Petroleum and Non-Gems &Jewellery | ||||||||
| 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change | ||
| Exports | 25.85 | 27.24 | 5.37 | 22.67 | 25.24 | 11.37 | 19.79 | 22.40 | 13.21 | |
| Imports | 41.15 | 41.99 | 2.05 | 28.14 | 32.59 | 15.81 | 24.87 | 26.35 | 5.94 | |
| Deficit | -15.30 | -14.75 | -3.57 | -5.47 | -7.34 | 34.19 | -5.08 | -3.95 | -22.34 | |
Change by top Commodity Groups
Value in USD Million
| Top Increase in January 2021 as compared to January 2020 | Top Decline in January 2021 as compared to January 2020 | |||||
| Commodity group | Change in value | % change | Commodity group | Change in value | % change | |
| Export | ENGINEERING GOODS | 1163.04 | 18.69 | PETROLEUM PRODUCTS | -1189.53 | -37.34 |
| DRUGS AND PHARMACEUTICALS | 292.62 | 16.42 | RMG OF ALL TEXTILES | -155.75 | -10.73 | |
| IRON ORE | 274.60 | 108.66 | LATHER AND LEATHER MANUFACTURERS | -75.66 | -18.60 | |
| Import | Gold | 2450.92 | 154.70 | Petroleum, Crude & products | -3606.29 | -27.72 |
| Electronic goods | 764.18 | 16.98 | Transport equipment | -561.88 | -25.26 | |
| Pearls, precious & Semi-precious stones | 733.89 | 50.20 | Project goods | -265.35 | -62.16 | |