The cumulative value of exports during the 2018-19 fiscal (April-March) was $ 331.02 billion (Rs 23,14,429.08 crore) as against $ 303.53 billion (Rs 19,56,514.53 crore) achieved in 2017-18, registering a positive growth of 9.06 per cent in dollar terms (18.29 per cent in rupee terms).
Exports in March 2019 were valued at $ 32.55 billion, as compared to $ 29.32 billion in March 2018, exhibiting a positive growth of 11.02 per cent. In rupee terms, exports were Rs 2,26,138.76 crore in March 2019, as against Rs 190,619.25 crore in March 2018, registering a positive growth of 18.63 per cent.
In March, the major commodity groups of export showing positive growth over the corresponding month of the previous year were organic and inorganic chemicals (16.98 per cent), engineering goods (16.27 per cent), RMG of all textiles (15.13 per cent), drugs and pharmaceuticals (13.59 per cent), and petroleum products (6.55 per cent).
Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in March 2019 were $ 25.59 billion, compared to $ 22.57 billion in March 2018, exhibiting a positive growth of 13.41 per cent. Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in April-March 2018-19 were $ 243.02 billion, as compared to $ 224.52 billion for the corresponding period in 2017-18, an increase of 8.24 per cent.
Imports
Imports in March 2019 were valued at $ 43.44 billion (Rs 3,01,814.05 crore), which was 1.44 per cent higher in dollar terms and 8.39 per cent higher in rupee terms over imports of $ 42.82 billion (Rs 2,78,441.24 crore) in March 2018. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-March 2018-19 was $ 507.44 billion (Rs 35,48,004.48 crore), as against $ 465.58 billion (Rs 30,01,033.43 crore) during the period April-March 2017-18, registering a positive growth of 8.99 per cent in dollar terms (18.23 per cent in rupee terms).
The major commodity groups of import showing negative growth in March 2019 over the corresponding month of the previous year were coke, coal and briquettes, etc. (-14.85 per cent), organic and inorganic chemicals (-6.35 per cent), machinery, electrical and non-electrical (-5.74 per cent), electronic goods (-5.69 per cent), and pearls, precious and semi-precious stones (-1.03 per cent).
Crude oil and non-oil imports
Oil imports in March 2019 were $11.75 billion (Rs 81,609.46 crore), which was 5.55 per cent higher in dollar terms (12.78 per cent higher in rupee terms), compared to $ 11.13 billion (Rs 72,359.44 crore) in March 2018. Oil imports in April-March 2018-19 were $140.47 billion (Rs 9,83,147.76 crore) which was 29.27 per cent higher in dollar terms (40.39 per cent higher in rupee terms) compared to $108.66 billion (Rs 7,00,320.81crore) over the same period the previous year.
Non-oil imports in March 2019 were estimated at $ 31.69 billion (Rs 2,20,204.59 crore) which was at par in dollar terms (6.85 per cent higher in rupee terms) compared to $ 31.69 billion (Rs 2,06,081.80 crore) in March 2018. Non-oil imports in April-March 2018-19 were $ 366.97 billion (Rs 25,64,856.72 crore) which was 2.82 per cent higher in dollar terms (11.48 per cent higher in rupee terms), compared to $ 356.92 billion (Rs 23,00,712.62 crore) in April-March 2017-18.
Non-oil and non-gold imports were $ 28.42 billion in March 2019, recording a negative growth of 2.67 per cent as compared to non-oil and non-gold imports in March 2018. Non-oil and non-gold imports were $ 334.15 billion in April-March 2018-19, recording a positive growth of 3.37 per cent, as compared to non-oil and non-gold imports in April-March 2017-18, informed an official release.
