Strong Export Growth In April-May Sign Of India's Resilience Amid West Asia Conflict, Says FIEO

New Delhi, Jun 16 (KNN) The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has said that India's strong export performance during April-May period of FY2026-27 demonstrates increasing global competitiveness of Indian exporters and their resilience in the wake of evolving global economic conditions.
 
India's Exports Register Strong Double-Digit Growth
 
According to the latest trade data, India's overall exports, comprising merchandise and services, rose 14.66 percent year-on-year to USD 162.69 billion during the first two months of the fiscal year. 
 
Merchandise exports stood at USD 88.91 billion in April-May period, registering a growth of 16.09 percent, while exports in May 2026 alone increased 18.01 percent to USD 45.20 billion.
 
Overall imports during April-May FY2026-27 grew 14.38 percent to USD 182.83 billion. Merchandise imports rose 15.14 percent to USD 145.35 billion during the period, while imports in May 2026 increased 20.62 percent to USD 73.42 billion.
 
FIEO Credits Exporters' Resilience And Policy Support
 
FIEO President S C Ralhan said the strong export growth at the start of the fiscal year reflects the resilience, adaptability and competitiveness of Indian exporters amid global uncertainties. 
 
He attributed the performance to policy reforms, improved market access initiatives, expanding manufacturing capabilities and sustained efforts by exporters across sectors.
 
Easing West Asia Tensions May Boost Trade Flows
 
Ralhan also said the recent easing of geopolitical tensions in West Asia, including the emerging peace framework involving the United States, Iran and other regional stakeholders, could support global trade by improving supply chain predictability and moderating freight and insurance costs. 
 
He noted that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would particularly benefit Indian exporters, given the importance of GCC countries as key export markets.
 
Engineering, Electronics And Pharma Lead Export Growth
 
He said sectors such as engineering goods, petroleum products, electronic goods, drugs and pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gems and jewellery, textiles, rice, cotton products and plastics continued to drive export growth during the period.
 
Highlighting the diversification of India's export markets, Ralhan said the country's leading export destinations during April-May FY2026-27 included the United States, UAE, Singapore, China, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
 
Capital Goods Imports Signal Economic Momentum
 
On the import front, India's major sourcing partners were China, Russia, the United States, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and Oman. 
 
Key imported commodities included petroleum products, electronic goods, machinery, gold, transport equipment, non-ferrous metals, coal, chemicals, plastics and vegetable oils.
 
Ralhan said the rise in imports of capital goods, machinery and industrial inputs points to sustained economic activity, investment demand and manufacturing growth. 
 
He expressed confidence that infrastructure improvements, PM Gati Shakti initiatives, digital trade facilitation measures, free trade agreements, production-linked incentive schemes and export promotion efforts would further strengthen India's export competitiveness during FY2026-27.
 
(KNN Bureau)