India’s rice exports increased by 16.48% year-on-year to nearly $1 billion in June 2026, highlighting the resilience of the country’s agricultural exports even as shipments of several other farm commodities declined. India also recorded a sharp increase in imports of pulses and fertilisers in June, with pulses imports soaring 192.72% year-on-year and fertiliser imports rising 201.29%.
According to data released by the Commerce Department, rice exports stood at around $1 billion in June 2026, compared with $858.8 million in June 2025. During the April-June quarter, rice exports reached $3.03 billion, registering a 4.36% increase over the corresponding period last year.
India’s overall merchandise exports also recorded strong growth during the month, rising from $34.98 billion in June 2025 to $40.41 billion. However, merchandise imports increased at a faster pace, climbing from $54.08 billion to $70.84 billion.
Services exports rose marginally to $33.03 billion from $32.11 billion a year earlier, while services imports increased from $15.90 billion to $17.92 billion. Combined merchandise and services exports reached $73.45 billion, up from $67.09 billion, whereas total imports rose to $88.76 billion from $69.98 billion.
Among agricultural products, rice remained a standout performer. However, exports of several other commodities declined. Tea exports fell 19.21% to $67.2 million from $83.1 million, while coffee exports slipped 7% to $171.3 million from $184.3 million. Exports of spices, cashew, oil meals and oilseeds also registered declines. In contrast, fruit and vegetable exports edged up 1.31% to $261.1 million from $257.7 million.
Non-agricultural exports recorded robust growth across multiple sectors. Gems and jewellery exports surged 34.64%, rising from $1.79 billion to $2.41 billion. Electronics exports increased 18.93% to $4.93 billion from $4.14 billion.
Exports of organic and inorganic chemicals grew 19.42%, reaching $2.77 billion compared with $2.32 billion a year ago. Engineering goods exports, one of India’s largest export segments, rose 20.74% to $11.48 billion, up from $9.51 billion in June 2025.
The first quarter of FY2026-27 also reflected broad-based export momentum. Non-petroleum exports rose 12.44% to $106.30 billion, while total merchandise exports increased 15.92% to $129.32 billion.
Combined merchandise and services exports during April-June climbed 11.37% to $232.73 billion, compared with $208.98 billion in the same period last year.
However, imports grew even faster, increasing to $270.15 billion from $229.82 billion during the quarter. As a result, India’s trade deficit widened significantly to $37.42 billion, compared with $20.85 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
Pulses Imports Surge 193%, Fertiliser Imports Jump 201%
While vegetable oil imports declined 2.58% in June, imports of pulses nearly tripled. India imported $1.61 billion worth of vegetable oils and $268.6 million worth of pulses during the month. For the April-June quarter, vegetable oil imports stood at $4.28 billion, while pulses imports reached $716.8 million.
Imports of fruits and vegetables also increased, rising 23.36% in June and 29.79% during the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Meanwhile, imports of fertilisers, including both finished products and raw materials, surged 201.29% in June to $2.29 billion, compared with $760.9 million in June 2025. During the April-June quarter, fertiliser imports climbed from $2.10 billion to $3.84 billion.