Exports miss target again as global trade wars, GST glitches take toll

Exporters faced a volatile year and don't expect FY20 to be much better

India's exports made a smart recovery in March by growing in double digits to touch a new high of $331 billion in 2018-19, and almost all of India's value-added product segments showed impressive growth. This is creditable as it comes amidst a slowdown in global trade and fragile word economy.  

The March performance, however, can't hide the fact that that Indian exports have underperformed the commerce department's internal target of $350 billion for the full year. This performance has, at least, the dubious virtue of consistency. Exports have consistently been unable to meet the commerce department’s annual trade growth forecast. In