India’s exports jumped 45.17 p.c to USD 33.14 billion in August on account of wholesome development in segments like engineering, petroleum merchandise, gems and jewelry and chemical compounds, even because the commerce deficit widened to USD 13.87 billion, in line with the commerce ministry’s provisional information. 

Imports in August rose 51.47 p.c to USD 47.01 billion, as in opposition to USD 31.03 billion within the corresponding month of 2020. The commerce deficit in August 2020 was USD 8.2 billion. It stood at USD 55.9 billion throughout April-August this fiscal as in comparison with USD 22.7 billion throughout the identical interval of the earlier 12 months.

Exports throughout April-August 2021 grew by 66.92 p.c to USD 163.67 billion, the info confirmed. Imports throughout April-August this fiscal rose by 81.75 p.c to USD 219.54 billion.

Oil imports in August rose 80.38 p.c to USD 11.64 billion, whereas gold imports jumped 82.22 p.c to USD 6.75 billion. Exports of engineering, petroleum merchandise, gems and jewelry and chemical compounds rose by about 59 p.c to USD 9.63 billion, 140 p.c to USD 4.55 billion, 88 p.c to USD 3.43 billion, and 35.75 p.c to USD 2.23 billion, respectively.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted: “India galloping towards USD 400 billion merchandise export target for current financial year. 45 percent growth in merchandise exports in August 2021 over same period last year. Big boost to local businesses in capturing global markets.”

Commerce Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam stated the numbers replicate wholesome development. “I am very confident of achieving the USD 400 billion exports target for this fiscal. It will be a solid 30 percent jump,” he instructed reporters. Asked about container scarcity points being raised by exporters, he expressed confidence about decision of the matter within the subsequent 3-4 days. “Container issue is there in the world and here also. The Cabinet Secretary yesterday held a meeting on this. Container rates have risen by 300-500 percent. “Today additionally a gathering was held within the delivery ministry. We are performing some issues and I’m assured that within the subsequent 3-4 days some options will come out,” the secretary said. Goyal would hold a meeting on the matter with different ministries next week as it needs the attention of ministries like railways and shipping.

There can be two types of solution for the problem — short-term and long-term, the secretary said, adding the long-term remedy includes increasing production of containers. On this issue, Hand Tools Association President S C Ralhan suggested the government can ask shipping lines to import 1 lakh containers into India as rising prices would hurt the country’s exports. “There is a large congestion at Chinese and Los Angeles ports…resulting from COVID associated restrictions. High charges are impacting our price competitiveness,” Ralhan said, adding increasing shipping freights are also impacting the shipments.

Former president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) S K Saraf too said the container shortage and prices issue would impact exports and the government should take some strong action to resolve the matter. “Closed government-owned container factories ought to begin work once more as they will make 20,000-25,000 containers per 30 days. Overall container manufacturing additionally must be elevated,” Saraf said.

FIEO President A Sakthivel said the continuous growth in exports since March this year augurs well for the economy. “Steady restoration in world commerce added with the expectation of buoyant order reserving place for the approaching months has additionally led to such steady development in exports,” he said.

ICRA’s Chief Economist Aditi Nayar said with merchandise imports continuing to scale up, even as exports receded from their all time high, the trade deficit widened to a higher than anticipated USD 13.9 billion in August, marking a four-month high. “We count on the present account to report a modest deficit of USD 4-6 billion within the ongoing quarter,” she stated.