Merchandise trade deficit rises 30.37% to $32.15 billion: Exports up 6.75%, imports surge 16.7% in September – The Times of India

India’s merchandise exports in September 2025 rose 6.75 per cent to $36.38 billion from $34.08 billion a year earlier, while imports jumped 16.7 per cent to $68.53 billion, according to data released by the ministry of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday. The surge in imports, led by gold, silver, fertilisers, and electronics, pushed the merchandise trade deficit up 30.37 per cent to $32.15 billion, ANI reported. On a combined merchandise and services basis, India’s trade deficit widened to an estimated $16.61 billion in September, compared with $8.60 billion in the same month last year. Total exports, including merchandise and services, were $67.20 billion, slightly up from $66.68 billion in September 2024, while imports increased to $83.82 billion from $75.28 billion.Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said, “In the first six months of this financial year, India achieved total exports of $413.30 billion as against the first six months of last year, registering a growth of 4.5 per cent.” He added that the industry has remained resilient, with supply chains maintained and performance improving despite global uncertainties.