The country's trade deficit grew to $59.77 billion in April-September this year against $39.1 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal boosted by rising oil import bill and falling exports.

Imports into the country rose 38.5 per cent to $154.74 billion even as exports rose 30.9 per cent to $94.97 billion for the first half of the year, official data showed.

Imports grew at a whopping 43.3 per cent in September 2008 while export growh dipped to 10.4 per cent amidst the global financial market turmoil and recessionary tendencies in major economies.

The cumulative value of exports for the period April-September 2008 was $94.973 billion (Rs405,118 crore) as against $72.556 billion (Rs296,423 crore), registering a growth of 30.9 per cent in dollar terms and 36.7 per cent in rupee terms over the same period last year. 

Exports during September 2008 were valued at $13.748 billion, up 10.4 per cent from $12.455 billion during September, 2007. In rupee terms, exports were up 24.7 per cent at Rs62,641 crore compared to the value of exports during September 2007.

Imports during September 2008 were valued at $24.380 billion, representing an increase of 43.3 per cent over the imports valued at $17.009 billion in September 2007. In rupee terms, imports increased by 61.9 per cent.

Cumulative value of imports for the period April-September 2008 was $154.744 billion (Rs661,208 crore) as against $111.654 billion (Rs456,407 crore), registering a growth of 38.6 per cent in dollar terms and 44.9 per cent in rupee terms over the same period last year.

Oil imports during September 2008 were valued at $9.096 billion, which was 57.1 per cent higher than oil imports valued at $5.792 billion in the corresponding period last year. Oil imports during April-September 2008 were valued at $55.063 billion, which was 59.2 per cent higher than the oil imports of $34.590 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Non-oil imports during September 2008 were estimated at $15.284 billion which was 36.2 per cent higher than non-oil imports of $11.218 billion in September 2007. Non-oil imports during April- September 2008 were valued at $99.681 billion, which was 29.3 per cent higher than the level of such imports valued at $77.064 billion in April-September 2007.           

The trade deficit for April-September 2008 was estimated at $59.771 billion, which was higher than the deficit at $39.098 billion during April- September 2007.