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).

New Delhi, Dated 2nd February 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%. 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

 

YB/SS