India's exports down 19.7 per cent in August
10 Sep 2009
India's exports fell 19.7 per cent to $14.3 billion in August this year on a year-on-year basis as the slide in exports continued for the 11th consecutive month amidst the global economic slump.
The 19.7 per cent fall in August, however, was lower than the 28.4 per cent decline registered in the previous month (July 2009). In physical terms, however, August exports worth $14.3 billion were far lower than the July figure of $17.8 billion.
In the first five months of the current fiscal (April-August 2009-10), the country' exports contracted 31.3 per cent to $63.9 billion from $93.1 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal.
Export of agricultural goods, mainly rice, tobacco and fruits and vegetables, however, showed positive growth during April-August this year, commerce secretary Rahul Khullar said.
Export of rice, tobacco, fruits and vegetable, marine products, iron ore, man-made yarn and fabrics, coal, and readymade garments have shown positive growth in August, Khullar said.
Export of gems and jewellery from the country was lower at $2.2 billion in August this year against $2.9 billion in August last year. In April-August this fiscal, export of gems and jewellery plummeted to $9.7 billion from $14.6 billion in August last fiscal.
