Trade data: Exports grow 1.9% in December despite global headwinds; trade gap edges up on higher imports

India’s merchandise exports rose 1.87% year-on-year to $38.5 billion in December 2025, even as higher imports led to a marginal widening of the trade deficit, official data released on Thursday showed, PTI reported.Imports increased 8.7% during the month to $63.55 billion, pushing the trade deficit to $25.04 billion in December. This compares with a deficit of $24.53 billion in November 2025 and $22 billion in December 2024.For the April–December period of FY26, merchandise exports grew 2.44% to $330.29 billion, while imports rose 5.9% to $578.61 billion. The cumulative trade deficit during the nine-month period stood at $248.32 billion.Briefing the media on the data, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said India’s exports have continued to post positive growth despite global economic uncertainties. “Going by the trend, we expect that the total exports (goods and services) are likely to cross $850 billion this fiscal,” he said.Engineering goods, electronics, marine products and pharmaceuticals were the key sectors driving export growth during the month, according to the data.Exports to major markets such as the US, China and the UAE also recorded steady growth.