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India’s merchandise exports rose 19.6% year-on-year to $44.24 billion in July 2026, marking a sharp increase from $36.98 billion a year earlier, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The increase was led by petroleum products, electronic goods and engineering products, even as higher imports pushed the merchandise trade deficit close to $32 billion.
Among major product categories, petroleum product exports increased 67.6% year-on-year to $6.92 billion. Electronic goods exports climbed 57.4% to $5.92 billion, while engineering goods shipments rose 17.7% to $12.24 billion. Exports of organic and inorganic chemicals increased 14.4% to $2.80 billion.
The broader export performance was not limited to petroleum and other high-value categories. Non-petroleum, non-gems-and-jewellery exports reached $35 billion in July, up from $30.47 billion in the same month last year. This points to continued expansion in several manufacturing and processed-goods segments.
The improvement in exports came alongside a stronger increase in imports. Merchandise imports rose 17.5% year-on-year to $76.22 billion in July, compared with $64.86 billion in July 2025. As a result, the merchandise trade deficit widened to $31.98 billion, from $27.88 billion a year earlier.
The export increase comes as Indian traders continue to contend with disruption across key international shipping routes. Higher freight and insurance costs, along with delays and container availability constraints, have added to logistics costs for exporters, particularly those dependent on West Asian trade corridors.
Exports to West Asia nevertheless showed an improvement in July, reaching about $5.7 billion, an 8.6% year-on-year increase, according to government officials. The United States remained a major destination for Indian goods, although exporters continue to face uncertainty over tariff policy and market access.
The latest figures therefore present a mixed picture for India’s external trade: merchandise exports are expanding at a strong pace, supported by manufacturing-intensive sectors, but imports are growing nearly as quickly. For logistics and supply-chain operators, the trajectory of freight rates, energy prices and geopolitical disruptions will remain important factors in determining whether the export momentum can be sustained through the rest of the fiscal year.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Sunday to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where leaders are expected to discuss regional security, economic cooperation and ways to deepen engagement among member countries. Modi travelled to Bishkek at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, following the conclusion of his two-day state visit to Uzbekistan. His participation at the summit comes as the SCO marks 25 years of its existence and as India continues to strengthen its economic and connectivity links with Central Asia. The summit will bring together leaders of SCO member states for discussions on regional and international developments and on expanding cooperation within the grouping. For India, the meeting provides an opportunity to advance its engagement with Central Asian economies, including on trade, transport connectivity and infrastructure. Modi's Kyrgyzstan visit follows a series of agreements reached during his Uzbekistan trip. India and Uzbekistan upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and agreed to cooperate across areas including trade and investment, infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and space. The two countries have also set an objective of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030, compared with more than $1 billion currently. Improving market access, connectivity and banking and payment mechanisms has been identified as part of the effort to expand commercial ties. For the logistics and supply-chain sector, deeper engagement with Central Asia is particularly relevant as India seeks greater access to markets in the region and improved trade corridors connecting the country with landlocked Central Asian economies. Infrastructure and connectivity remain important factors in determining the cost and reliability of such trade. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
Nestlé India has elevated Jaikishan Gianani to the position of Head of Procurement for the South Asia region, effective 1st August 2026. Gianani brings extensive experience across procurement, supply chain operations, commodities and sustainability to the new leadership role. His career at Nestlé has included responsibilities spanning strategic sourcing, raw material procurement, packaging procurement, factory supply chain and supply chain projects. Over the years, he has worked across a broad range of procurement categories, including oils and fats, coffee, chicory, tea and other agricultural commodities. He has also handled global commodity procurement responsibilities covering regions across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania. Gianani holds an MBA from S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research and a B.Tech degree from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur. His experience extends beyond conventional sourcing. During his tenure as Head of Packaging Procurement and Lead for Sustainable Packaging in South Asia, he was involved in initiatives focused on packaging optimisation, recyclability and reducing the use of virgin plastic. His operational exposure also includes leadership of supply chain activities at Nestlé’s Nanjangud and Choladi factories, followed by a corporate procurement role. More recently, he has been associated with procurement of agri commodities and food ingredients at Nestlé. The new assignment places Gianani at the centre of Nestlé’s procurement agenda for South Asia, where supplier partnerships, commodity risk management, cost efficiency, sustainability and supply resilience remain important priorities. His experience across strategic sourcing and end-to-end supply chain functions is expected to support the company’s procurement objectives in the region. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
India's e-commerce exports have the potential to grow by an additional USD 10 billion over the next two to three years, supported by the country's large base of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and increasing adoption of cross-border digital trade, according to a senior official from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Speaking at an industry event, Rajesh Kumar Mishra, Additional Director General at DGFT, said India is well positioned to expand its presence in global e-commerce exports by leveraging its manufacturing capabilities and growing network of online marketplaces. He noted that while countries such as China generate significantly higher e-commerce export volumes, India has considerable scope to scale up its cross-border trade. The projected growth is expected to be driven primarily by MSMEs, which account for a substantial share of India's manufacturing sector. Digital commerce platforms are enabling these businesses to reach international consumers directly, reducing barriers traditionally associated with overseas trade. Officials also highlighted the importance of strengthening the ecosystem supporting online exports. Efficient logistics, simplified regulatory compliance, digital onboarding, and competitive shipping solutions are expected to play a key role in helping small exporters expand their global footprint. Government-backed logistics providers, including India Post, were identified as important enablers for cost-effective delivery of small consignments to overseas markets. The growth outlook aligns with the government's broader objective of increasing India's export competitiveness through digital trade. As more businesses adopt e-commerce channels, online exports are expected to become an increasingly important contributor to the country's overall export basket, while creating new opportunities for MSMEs to access international markets. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
