New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- India's total exports of merchandise and services rose 13.17 per cent year-on-year to an estimated USD 80.45 billion in January 2026, while total imports increased 18.76 per cent to USD 90.83 billion.

The higher import growth widened the trade deficit to USD 10.38 billion, compared with USD 5.39 billion in January last year.

Merchandise Trade Shows Modest Export Growth

Merchandise exports in January stood at USD 36.56 billion, marginally higher than USD 36.34 billion a year earlier. Merchandise imports rose sharply to USD 71.24 billion from USD 59.77 billion, resulting in a merchandise trade deficit of USD 34.68 billion for the month.

Key export segments registering positive growth included other cereals, coffee,...