INDIA’S MERCHANDISE TRADE: Preliminary Data August 2021
India’s merchandise exports in August 2021 was USD 33.14 billion, an increase of 45.17% over USD 22.83 billion in August 2020 and an increase of 27.5% over USD 25.99 billion in August 2019
India’s merchandise exports in April-August 2021 was USD 163.67 billion, an increase of 66.92% over USD 98.05 billion in April-August 2020 and an increase of 22.93% over USD 133.14 billion in April-August 2019
New Delhi, 2nd September 2021
India’s merchandise imports in August 2021 was USD 47.01 billion, an increase of 51.47% over USD 31.03 billion in August 2020 and an increase of 17.95% over USD 39.85 billion in August 2019.
India’s merchandise imports in April-August 2021 was USD 219.54 billion, an increase of 81.75% over USD 120.79 billion in April-August 2020 and a marginal increase of 4.35% over USD 210.39 billion in April-August 2019.
The trade deficit in August 2021 was USD 13.87 billion in compared to the trade deficit of USD 8.2 billion in August 2020, while it is USD 55.9 billion during April-August 2021 as compared to USD 22.7 billion during the same period of the previous year.
| Statement 1: India’s Merchandise Trade in August 2021 | |||||
| Value in Billion USD | % Growth | ||||
| Aug-21 | Aug-20 | Aug-19 | Aug-21 over Aug-20 | Aug-21 over Aug-19 | |
| Exports | 33.14 | 22.83 | 25.99 | 45.17 | 27.50 |
| Imports | 47.01 | 31.03 | 39.85 | 51.47 | 17.95 |
| Deficit | 13.87 | 8.20 | 13.86 | 69.15 | 0.07 |
| Statement 2: India’s Merchandise Trade in August 2021 | |||||
| Value in Billion USD | % Growth | ||||
| Aug-21 | Aug-20 | Aug-19 | Aug-21 over Aug-20 | Aug-21 over Aug-19 | |
| Exports | 163.67 | 98.05 | 133.14 | 66.92 | 22.93 |
| Imports | 219.54 | 120.79 | 210.39 | 81.75 | 4.35 |
| Deficit | 55.87 | 22.74 | 77.25 | 145.69 | (-) 27.67 |
Value of non-petroleum exports in August 2021 was 28.58 USD billion, registering a positive growth of 36.57% over non-petroleum exports of USD 20.93 billion in August 2020 and a positive growth of 25.44% over non-petroleum exports of USD 22.78 billion in August 2019.
Value of non-petroleum imports was USD 35.37 billion in August 2021 with a positive growth of 43.88% over non-petroleum imports of USD 24.58 billion in August 2020 and had a positive growth of 22.58% only over non-petroleum imports of USD 28.85 billion in August 2019.
| Statement 3: Merchandise Non-POL Trade in August 2021 | |||||
| Value in Billion USD | % Growth | ||||
| Aug21 | Aug20 | Aug19 | Aug21 over Aug20 | Aug21 over Aug19 | |
| Exports | 28.58 | 20.93 | 22.78 | 36.57 | 25.44 |
| Imports | 35.37 | 24.58 | 28.85 | 43.88 | 22.58 |
| Deficit | 6.79 | 3.65 | 6.07 | 86.03 | 11.86 |
The cumulative value of non-petroleum exports in April-August 2021 was USD 140.6 billion, an increase of 56.96% over USD 89.58 billion in April-August 2020 and an increase of 21.92% over USD 115.33 billion in April-August 2019.
The cumulative value of non-petroleum imports in April-August 2021 was USD 164.01 billion, showing an increase of 73.22% compared to non-oil imports of USD 94.68 billion in April-August 2020 and a marginal increase of 6.31% compared to non-oil imports of USD 154.28 billion in April-August 2019.
| Statement 4: Merchandise Non-POL Trade Apr-Aug 2021 | ||||||
| Value in Billion USD | % Growth | |||||
| Apr-Aug21 | Apr-Aug20 | Apr-Aug19 | Apr-Aug21 over Apr-Aug20 | Apr-Aug21 over Apr-Aug19 | ||
| Exports | 140.60 | 89.58 | 115.33 | 56.96 | 21.92 | |
| Imports | 164.01 | 94.68 | 154.28 | 73.22 | 6.31 | |
Value of non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in August 2021 was USD 25.15 billion, registering a positive growth of 31.66% over non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports of USD 19.1 billion in August 2020 and a positive growth of 28.53% over non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports of USD 19.57 billion in August 2019.
Value of non-oil, non-GJ (gold, silver & Precious metals) imports was USD 26.36 billion in August 2021 with a positive growth of 33.97% over non-oil and non-GJ imports of USD 19.68 billion in August 2020 but had a marginal positive growth of 2.63% over non-oil and non-GJ imports of USD 25.69 billion in August 2019.
| Statement 5: Merchandise Non-POL Trade Apr-Aug 2021 | |||||
| Value in Billion USD | % Growth | ||||
| Apr-Aug21 | Apr-Aug20 | Apr-Aug19 | Apr-Aug21 over Apr-Aug20 | Apr-Aug21 over Apr-Aug19 | |
| Exports | 25.15 | 19.10 | 19.57 | 31.66 | 28.53 |
| Imports | 26.36 | 19.68 | 25.69 | 33.97 | 2.63 |
Statement 6: Merchandise Non-POL Non-GJ Trade Apr-Aug 2021
Value in Billion USD
% Growth
Apr-Aug 21
Apr-Aug 20
Apr-Aug 19
Apr-Aug 21 over Apr-Aug 20
Apr-Aug 21 over Apr-Aug 19
Exports
124.55
83.59
99.65
49.00
24.99
Imports
132.94
84.66
128.67
57.04
3.32
Top 10 major commodity groups, covering more than 80% of total exports, have shown positive growth in August 2021 over corresponding month of previous year, as stated below.
Statement 7: Exports of Top 10 Major Commodity Groups
Value of Export (Million US$)
Share (%)
Growth (%)
Major Commodity Group
Aug ’21
Aug ’20
Aug ’21
Aug ’21 over Aug ’20
Engineering Goods
9631.50
6065.65
29.06
58.79
Petroleum Products
4559.82
1901.64
13.76
139.78
Gems And Jewellery
3428.07
1823.09
10.34
88.04
Organic And Inorganic Chemicals
2230.15
1642.82
6.73
35.75
Drugs And Pharmaceuticals
2001.78
1977.76
6.04
1.21
Cotton Yarn/Fabrics/Madeups, Handloom Products Etc.
1297.82
833.95
3.92
55.62
RMG Of All Textiles
1235.11
1083.53
3.73
13.99
Electronic Goods
1146.63
872.04
3.46
31.49
Plastic And Linoleum
753.30
648.49
2.27
16.16
Rice
715.24
671.08
2.16
6.58
Total of 10 Major Commodity Groups
26999.42
17520.05
81.47
54.11
Rest
6141.16
5309.23
18.53
15.67
Total Exports
33140.58
22829.29
100.00
45.17
Top 10 major commodity groups, covering more than 80% of total imports, have shown below.
Statement 8: Imports of Top 10 Major Commodity Groups
Import (Million US$)
Share (%)
Growth (%)
Major Commodity Group
Aug.’21
Aug.’20
Aug.’21
Aug.’21 over Aug.’20
Petroleum, Crude & products
11637.86
6451.91
24.76
80.38
Gold
6746.88
3702.53
14.35
82.22
Electronic goods
5910.44
4720.09
12.57
25.22
Machinery, electrical & non-electrical
2914.75
2020.92
6.20
44.23
Pearls, precious & Semi-precious stones
2243.51
1163.26
4.77
92.86
Organic & Inorganic Chemicals
2066.48
1469.05
4.40
40.67
Coal, Coke & Briquettes, etc.
1936.40
1084.77
4.12
78.51
Artificial resins, plastic materials, etc.
1365.19
849.61
2.90
60.69
Iron & Steel
1333.57
640.23
2.84
108.30
Vegetable Oil
1322.01
888.65
2.81
48.77
Total of 10 Major Commodity Groups
37477.09
22991.03
79.73
63.01
Rest
9529.42
8042.98
20.27
18.48
Total Imports
47006.51
31034.01
100.00
51.47