India’s merchandise exports to the US and China recorded strong growth in August 2026, with shipments to the US rising 21.83% and those to China increasing 52.35% from a year earlier, according to commerce ministry data released on Tuesday.Exports to the US rose to $8.4 billion during the month, while shipments to China increased to $1.9 billion.Imports from both countries also grew during August, with inbound shipments from China rising 17% to $12.77 billion and those from the US jumping 65.78% to $5.97 billion.
US exports rise despite higher tariffs
During April-August 2026-27, India’s merchandise exports to the US grew 6.17% to $42.8 billion, while imports from the country increased 29.6% to $28 billion.India and the US are currently negotiating a trade pact. The US imposed an additional 10% tariff on Indian goods from July 24.Despite the tariff-related trade measures, exports to the US recorded year-on-year growth in August.
China shipments climb over 52%
India’s exports to China rose 38.71% during April-August 2026-27 to $9.64 billion, while imports from China increased 27% to $65.5 billion, according to the Commerce Ministry data.The August figures showed an even sharper rise in exports to China, with shipments increasing 52.35% year-on-year to $1.9 billion.China remained a major source of imports, with India’s inbound shipments from the country reaching $12.77 billion in August.
Singapore exports jump 161%
India also recorded a sharp increase in exports to Singapore during August. Shipments rose 160.96% year-on-year to $1.9 billion.During the first five months of the fiscal year, exports to Singapore jumped 96.56% to $9.5 billion.Exports to Germany, South Africa, Tanzania, Australia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Italy also recorded positive growth during August.However, shipments to some major markets declined. Exports to the UAE fell 26.1% to $2.4 billion, which the commerce ministry attributed to the West Asia crisis.Exports to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia also declined during the month.
Overall exports rise 26.12% in August
India’s overall merchandise exports rose 26.12% year-on-year to $43.81 billion in August, driven by higher shipments of electronics, engineering goods and petroleum products.Electronics exports increased 90%, engineering goods exports rose 25% and petroleum product shipments climbed 63.27% during the month.Merchandise imports rose 14.1% to $70.76 billion, with higher imports of crude oil, project goods, electronic items, silver, coal and coke.Gold imports fell 57.75% to $2.3 billion in August, helping narrow the merchandise trade deficit to $26.86 billion, its lowest level in five months.The August export growth was the highest since June 2022, when shipments had increased 30.12%.During April-August 2026-27, merchandise exports rose 17.85% to $215.91 billion, while imports increased 18.21% to $363 billion. The merchandise trade deficit for the first five months stood at $147.09 billion, compared with $123.88 billion in the corresponding period last year.
Imports from Oman, Taiwan and Brazil surge
India also recorded higher imports from Russia, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, Oman, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brazil during August.Imports from Oman surged 157.45% to $1.64 billion, while those from Taiwan rose 108.31% to $1.6 billion. Imports from Brazil increased 132% to $1.12 billion.Crude oil imports rose 37.28% to about $16 billion in August. During April-August, crude oil imports increased to $95.57 billion from $78.07 billion a year earlier.Electronic goods imports during the first five months rose to $66.48 billion from $46.31 billion. In August, electronics and project goods imports grew 53.27% to $13 billion and 377.71% to $960.78 million, respectively.Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal described the August numbers as robust.“These numbers reaffirm the growing strength and competitiveness of our manufacturing ecosystem, with our exporters expanding India’s footprint across global markets,” he said in a social media post.Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said export growth momentum was continuing and “rather, building up also”. He said higher imports during the first five months were being driven by domestic economic expansion, rising energy requirements and critical inputs needed for manufacturing growth.Services exports were estimated at $38.87 billion in August, while services imports stood at $21.42 billion.
