Exports up 24% to $38 bn in April; trade deficit widens to $20 bn

Exports rose by 24.22 per cent to a monthly record high of $38.19 billion in April on account of healthy performance by sectors like petroleum products, electronic goods and chemicals, even as trade deficit widened to $20 billion during the month, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday.

Imports during the month under review grew by 26.55 per cent to $58.26 billion. The trade deficit in April 2021 was at $15.29 billion.

Oil imports during the month rose by 81.21 per cent to $19.5 billion. Coal, Coke and Briquettes imports jumped to $4.8 billion as against $2 billion in April 2021.

Gold imports, however,