Business EconomyPosted at: Jun 15 2026 8:55PM


FIEO hails strong export growth in April-May, expects momentum to strengthen in coming Months

Hyderabad, June 15 (UNI) Welcoming India's strong foreign trade performance during April-May 2026-27, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) on Monday expressed confidence that exports would record even stronger growth in the coming months amid improving global trade conditions.
According to the latest trade data, India's overall exports, comprising merchandise and services, stood at USD 162.69 billion during April-May 2026-27, registering a growth of 14.66 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.
Merchandise exports during the two-month period reached USD 88.91 billion, posting a robust growth of 16.09 per cent, while exports in May 2026 alone stood at USD 45.20 billion, up 18.01 per cent year-on-year.
India's overall imports during April-May 2026-27 rose 14.38 per cent to USD 182.83 billion. Merchandise imports increased by 15.14 per cent to USD 145.35 billion during the period, while imports in May 2026 alone grew 20.62 per cent to USD 73.42 billion.
Commenting on the trade performance, FIEO President S.C. Ralhan said the strong growth recorded during the first two months of the fiscal year reflected the resilience, adaptability and competitiveness of Indian exporters despite global uncertainties.
"Achieving over 16 per cent growth in merchandise exports and nearly 15 per cent growth in overall exports demonstrates the positive impact of policy reforms, enhanced market access initiatives, growing manufacturing capabilities and the sustained efforts of exporters across sectors," he said.
Ralhan said the emerging peace framework in West Asia involving the United States, Iran and other regional stakeholders was a positive development for global trade, shipping and supply chains.
He noted that the reported reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and easing geopolitical tensions were expected to improve the movement of goods, stabilise freight and insurance costs and enhance predictability in international trade flows, particularly benefiting Indian exporters serving Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets.
FIEO said engineering goods, petroleum products, electronic goods, drugs and pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gems and jewellery, textiles, rice, cotton products and plastics were among the major contributors to export growth during the period.
Highlighting India's expanding export footprint, Ralhan said the country's leading export destinations during April-May included the United States, the UAE, Singapore, China, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
"The continued strong demand from both traditional and emerging markets reflects increasing global confidence in Indian products and services. The growing presence of Indian exporters in diverse geographies is helping strengthen India's position in global trade and reducing dependence on a limited number of markets," he said.
On the import front, China, Russia, the United States, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and Oman emerged as India's key sourcing partners. Major imported commodities included petroleum products, electronic goods, machinery, gold, transport equipment, non-ferrous metals, coal, chemicals, plastics and vegetable oils.
Ralhan said the rise in imports of capital goods, machinery, electronics and industrial inputs indicated sustained economic activity, investment demand and manufacturing growth in the country.
He emphasised that exports would continue to play a critical role in driving economic growth, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings as India moves towards its goal of becoming a developed economy and a global manufacturing hub.
FIEO expressed confidence that infrastructure upgrades, PM Gati Shakti initiatives, digital trade facilitation measures, free trade agreements, production-linked incentive schemes and export promotion efforts by Indian missions abroad would further enhance India's export competitiveness and support higher export growth during 2026-27.
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