According To merchandize trade data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India’s exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, madeups, handloom products etc showed a positive growth of 14.82 per cent in September 2020 compared to September 2019. Exports of readymade garments of all textiles also rose 10.21 per cent during the month.

In September 2020, India’s merchandise exports grew by 5.27 per cent to $27.40 billion, as compared to $26.02 billion in September 2019. However, exports during April-September 2020-21 declined by 21.43 per cent to $125.06 billion.

On the other hand, the value of merchandise imports in September 2020 was $30.31 billion, as compared to $37.69 billion in September 2019, a decline of 19.60 per cent. Merchandise imports during April-September 2020-21 were $148.69 billion, as compared to $248.08 billion during the same period last year, exhibiting a negative growth of 40.06 per cent. India is thus a net importer in September 2020, with a trade deficit of $2.91 billion, as compared to trade deficit of $11.67 billion, showing a substantial improvement of 75.06 per cent.

Among the major commodities of export which have recorded positive growth during September 2020 vis-à-vis September 2019 are: carpet (42.89 per cent), handicrafts excluding handmade carpet (21.40 per cent), jute manufacturing including floor covering (18.62 per cent), cotton yarn/fabrics/madeups, handloom products etc. (14.82 per cent), and readymade garment of all textiles (10.21 per cent), the provisional data showed. However, export of manmade yarn, fabrics, madeups etc declined 9.13 per cent.