Trade deficit widens to $12.88 bn in Feb

New Delhi: After recording positive growth for two months in a row, India's exports dipped marginally by 0.25 per cent to $27.67 billion in February and trade deficit widened to $12.88 billion, according to preliminary data released by the government on Tuesday.

Imports grew 6.98 per cent to $40.55 billion during the month, the data showed. The trade deficit stood at $10.16 billion in February 2020. Exports during April-February 2020-21 were $255.92 billion, compared with $291.87 billion during the same period of last year, exhibiting a negative growth of 12.32 per cent. Imports during April-February this fiscal also dipped 23 per cent to $340.88 billion.

In February, oil imports declined 16.63 per cent to $8.99 billion. It was down by 40.18 per cent to $72.08 billion during 11 months period of the current fiscal. Major commodities of export that have recorded positive growth during February include oil meals, iron ore, rice, meat, dairy and poultry products, carpet, spices, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.