Trade deficit almost tripled to a record $30 billion in July from a year before, as a surge in imports, driven by elevated global commodity prices, continued unabated, while export growth lost pace, albeit on an unfavourable base.
According to data released by the Commerce Ministry on Friday, merchandise exports rose just 2.1 per cent on-year in July to $36.3 billion, while imports jumped 43.6 per cent to $66.3 billion. Sequentially, exports in July fell 9.5 per cent from June.
Explained
Eye on deficit
In the first four months of this fiscal, exports grew 20.1 per cent to $157.4 billion, while imports jumped 48.1 per cent to $256.4 billion, leading to a deficit of $99 billion.
In the first four months of this fiscal, exports grew 20.1 per cent to $157.4 billion, while imports jumped 48.1 per cent to $256.4 billion, leading to a deficit of $99 billion. Elevated prices of crude oil, coal and fertiliser in the wake of the Ukraine war…
