India's April exports up 197% on low base; trade deficit widens to $15.2 bn

Better export figure largely due to low-base effect, as Covid-19 induced nationwide lockdown a year ago had temporarily stopped economic activity

India’s merchandise exports nearly trebled in April to $30.21 billion over the same period year, mainly due to low-base effect, as Covid-19 induced nationwide lockdown a year ago had temporarily stopped economic activity.

However, exports grew 16.03 per cent from $26.04 billion in April 2019, indicating that a low base was also supported by strong demand in the first month of the current fiscal. An uptick in outbound shipments in April was driven by demand for petroleum products, engineering and gems and jewellery products. Latest data also indicates that an unprecedented surge in covid-19 cases as well as localised