• India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April 2023* is estimated to be USD 65.02 Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 2.00 per cent over April 2022. Overall imports in April 2023* is estimated to be USD 66.40 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 7.92 per cent over April 2022.

Table 1: Trade during April 2023*

* Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for March 2023. The data for April 2023 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release. (ii) Data for April 2022 has been revised on pro-rata basis using quarterly balance of payments data.

Fig 1: Overall Trade during April 2023*

MERCHANDISE TRADE

• Merchandise exports in April 2023 were USD 34.66 Billion, as compared to USD 39.70 Billion in April 2022.
• Merchandise imports in April 2023 were USD 49.90 Billion, as compared to USD 58.06 Billion in April 2022.

Fig 2: Merchandise Trade during April 2023

• Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in April 2023 were USD 25.76 Billion, compared to USD 28.37 Billion in April 2022.
• Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in April 2023 were USD 31.49 Billion, compared to USD 36.00 Billion in April 2022.

Table 2: Trade excluding Petroleum and Gems & Jewellery during April 2023

	April 2023 (USD Billion)	April 2022 (USD Billion)
Non- petroleum exports	28.19	31.84
Non- petroleum imports	pib.gov.in
15 May, 2023 MoS Agri pitches for mass adoption of new farm technologies for achieving $5 trillion economy. Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary on Friday said mass adoption of new technologies like drones, artificial intelligence (AI) and precision farming in the agriculture sector is essential for India to achieve USD 5 trillion economy milestone. '... we need to leverage new technologies, such as drones, AI, precision farming, blockchain in farming to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi's near future target of USD 5 trillion economy,' the minister said while addressing an event organised by agro-chemical firm Dhanuka Group.   Choudhary also urged scientists to identify untapped areas, such as rain-fed districts to increase agriculture production substantially by empowering farmers with new agri technologies.   'The potential of most of the agri-land in the country has been exhausted, only the area dependant on rains is left whose potential needs to be tapped,' he said in a statement.   Making a strong pitch for genetically modified (GM) crops, Deepak Pental, former Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi said, 'The USA has increased agriculture production by 35 per cent by introducing GM crops long back, whereas Europe just managed 6-7 per cent.   'The population in Europe is anyways not increasing, so they have the option, but do we have option? So, we need to decide which side of divide we want to be!'   Pental, favouring the use of agro-chemicals, said that high-quality agro-chemicals are essential to reduce the damage to crops.   Dhanuka Group Chairman R G Agarwal said, 'The government's forward looking policies towards new technologies and swift approvals for agriculture sector, clearance to drone guidelines being an example, are paving the way for Indian being food bowl for the world by 2047.'  Source:  m.economictimes.com
15 May, 2023 Food industry is the focus area of Govt. and businesses as it directly impacts agriculture and brings better life for the farming families: Sh. Goyal. Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Government of India said that business is not just about numbers but about building relationships, partnership, collaborating, learning, technology and innovation. During the Trade and Investment Promotion Event for the Agricultural and Food Processing sector with Indian companies and Canadian importers on the sidelines of SIAL-2023, Toronto, Canada yesterday, the Minister said that focus has to be on shared prosperity for people across the world making all stakeholders in the value chain prosperous.   Sh. Goyal said that this is an opportunity to celebrate the Canada-India partnership and there is a huge potential of growth in the expansion of business and engagement between the two countries. He said that value addition of food products is a priority area. Sh. Goyal stressed that Indian businesses must focus on quality, scale, design, packaging, etc. to earn the confidence and trust of consumers and businesses in Canada.   The Minister appreciated the participation by Indian businesses at SIAL 2023 as it showcased India to the world. He said that the challenge ahead is to organize a larger and bigger trade show in the food industry in India or abroad showcasing the best we have to offer across continents. Sh. Piyush Goyal said that SIAL 2023 offered an opportunity to hone product quality and marketing skills of the food industry. Sh. Goyal said that 'World Food India' in November 2023 can serve as the platform that can showcase the best of India & collaborate with businesses across the world. He said that as a part of outreach as G20 President, Government and businesses need to put their best efforts in this respect.   The Minister said that the food industry is a high profile, high profits and high growth sunrise sector. He said that it is a focus area of Government and businesses as it directly impacts agriculture in India by adding value to the products of farmers and encouraging diversification of crops, fruits, vegetables. Sh. Goyal said that this industry’s contribution to the growth story of India is immense and valuable as it brings better life for the families engaged in farming and agriculture related sources of livelihood.   The Minister highlighted that there is multifold growth potential in the bilateral trade of India-Canada in this sector. Sh. Goyal said that the food industry has been able to bring the best of India into Canada and promised encouragement by the government in expansion of their businesses in Canada. He said that the export of agri-based products, foodstuffs, food products, marine products, etc. from India is rising but there is huge potential for more exports of these products.   Sh. Goyal said that millets are becoming popular amongst consumers in India and the world, it is important to highlight the nutritional and health benefits of millets especially among the youth who need high energy and high protein food intake. He said that millets can be a game changer in promotion of the Indian food industry. The Minister praised the serving of millets at the event.   In another meeting with Canadian companies inToronto, Canada earlier yesterday, Sh. Piyush Goyal invited the people and businesses from Canada to visit India. He said that the India that they will visit now is truly a New India. The Minister also invited them to join the B20 Sessions and sectoral engagements being organized across the country under India’s G20 Presidency. He also encouraged the Canadian companies to hold Board meetings in India.   Sh. Goyal said that India is not only the fastest growing large economy but also a consistently growing economy. He said that as India grows as an economy in the next 25 years, he invited Canadian businesses to be a part of India’s growth journey.  Source:  pib.gov.in
15 May, 2023 Significant rise . Edible oil imports rise 22% in first 6 months of current oil year. India’s import of edible oils increased by 22.29 per cent in the first six months of the oil year 2022-23 (November to October) following a significant rise in the import of palm oil and sunflower oil during the period.   According to data available from the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), the country imported 80.02 lakh tonnes (lt) of edible oil during November-April against 65.43 lt in the corresponding period a year ago.   Palm products imports up BV Mehta, Executive Director of SEA, said the import of palm products (including crude palm oil and RBD palmolein) increased to 49.09 lt during November-April of the oil year 2022-23 against 30.92 lt in November-April of 2021-22. Attributing this increase to the price parity, he said the share of palm oil in the total edible oils increased to 61 per cent in the first six months of the oil year 2022-23 from 49 per cent a year ago.   Import of RBD palmolein increased to 11.10 lt in the first six months of current oil year against 9.20 lt. Import of crude palm oil (CPO) stood at 37.61 lt against 22.62 lt.   Stating that the share of RBD palmolein in the total palm oil import is around 22 per cent now, Mehta said India’s palm oil refining industry is heavily suffering from very low capacity utilisation due to excessive import of RBD palmolein.   Sunflower oil shipments surge There has been a jump in the import of sunflower oil in the first half of the current oil year. India imported 13.67 lt of sunflower oil against 11.10 lt a year ago, recording a growth of 23.12 per cent. In fact, sunflower oil imports went up to 2.49 lt in April against 1.48 lt in March. Mehta attributed this to oversupply of the oil with international prices ruling lower compared to soyabean oil and CPO.   The CIF import price of crude sunflower oil was $1,036 a tonne in April against $1,108 in March. In April, CIF import price of crude soyabean oil and CPO was at $1,049 a tonne and $1,039 a tonne, respectively.   Soya oil imports slip However, there was a decline in the import of soyabean oil. India imported 17.25 lt of soyabean oil against 22.06 lt, recording a decline of 21.80 per cent.   Indonesia and Malaysia were the major suppliers of RBD palmolein and CPO to India during the first half of the oil year 2022-23.   Indonesia exported 17.24 lt of CPO and 8.77 lt of RBD palmolein to India during the first six months of the oil year 2022-23. This was followed by Malaysia at 12.98 lt of CPO and 2.05 lt RBD palmolein, and Thailand at 5.73 lt of CPO and 11,499 tonnes of RBD palmolein.   India imported 9.53 lt of crude soyabean de-gummed oil from Argentina and 7.02 lt from Brazil during the period.   During the first half of the oil year 2022-23, Russia exported 3.73 lt of crude sunflower oil to India. This was followed by Ukraine at 3.40 lt and Argentina at 1.06 lt.  Source:  thehindubusinessline.com
15 May, 2023 Andhra Pradesh: Natural farming needs to be encouraged to tackle climate change, says NITI Aayog Member. National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) Member and Agriculture Economist Ramesh Chand on Friday stated that natural farming should be encouraged to tackle climate change and to improve production quality.   In his convocation address during the fifth convocation of Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University here in West Godavari district, Prof. Ramesh Chand said that the scientists and students encourage and promote natural farming.   Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, who presided over the convocation, stated that horticultural crops would assume greater significance in the context of nutritional security.   Justice Adbul Nazeer said, 'India is emerging as the food basket of the world. The production of horticultural crops has already surpassed agricultural production in India. The total horticulture production is 320 billion tonnes (2023).'   'In the agriculture sector, horticulture provides 14% employment, of which 42% are women in India,' he said.    Referring to Andhra Pradesh, Justice Abdul Nazeer has stated; 'The State is emerging as one of the major horticulture hubs in the country. The State has registered a record growth in the production and research in horticulture, which spreads in 17.84 lakh hectares with an annual production of 312.34 lakh metric tonnes.'   He said that it is a celebrating moment that Dr.Y.S.R. Agricultural University was encouraging drone and robotic technologies in horticulture in the State.    Prof. Ramesh Chand and Governor S. Abdul Nazeer presented the Ph.D. Awards and gold medals to the scientists and students. University Vice-Chancellor T. Janakiram, Registrar B. Srinivas and professors were present.    Source:  thehindu.com
15 May, 2023 Gujarat mango exports set to scale new heights. The love for mangoes in summers isn't just limited to Gujaratis and Indians but the Americans too! With increased demand from the US, exports of mangoes from Gujarat are expected to scale new heights and grow by at least 45%, suggest estimates by Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Limited (GAICL).   The sweet, succulent, tropical burst of flavours packed in Gujarat's mangoes are in high demand in the international market too. For instance, Gujarat recorded direct exports of 445 metric tonne (MT) mangoes to the United Kingdom and Middle East in 2022-23, according to GAICL. However, an additional demand coming from the US with orders pouring in huge volumes has already led Gujarat's mango cultivators to export 65 MT to the USA alone. This accounts for a lion's share of 55% of the total mango exports from Gujarat at 114 MT so far, according to GAICL. Exports are expected to increase as the season progresses.   The United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has approved the Gujarat Agro Radiation Processing Facility (GARPF) in July 2022. This gives Gujarat's mango farmers and exporters an added advantage with additional demand pouring from the US.   'With good demand, the exports are expected to surpass the 2021-22 level of 608 MT this year. By far we have already exported 65 MT and the new Cargo facility developed by GAICL near Ahmedabad will further give a boost to exports. Till date, Kesar and Alphonso mango varieties which are the pride of Gujarat were exported through Maharashtra,' said DH Shah, managing director, GAICL. 'Retail outlets in UK, Canada placing orders'   The Gujarat Agro Radiation Processing Facility (GARPF) will in fact, boost demand for Kesar varieties from Gir and Kutch regions of the state. 'This year exports are better than last year because crops are better and prices are almost the same as last year. There is good demand from the UK, Middle East and Canada as well. Retail outlets in these countries are placing good orders this year,' said Darshil Shah, an Ahmedabad based mango exporter.   Gujarat is expected to see record direct exports this year, according to exporters. 'The direct access to the US market has opened up newer avenues for exporters . The air freight rates have also come down from Rs 240 per kg to Rs 140 per kg in a year. If the government supports exporters by lowering the 18% GST rate on mango exports, overall demand in the international market may further grow.'  Source:  timesofindia.indiatimes.com
15 May, 2023 America emerges as India's biggest export market for organic honey. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has released data indicating that the United States has become the largest market for organic honey exported from India. The data shows that 80% of India's organic honey exports are sent to the United States.   Until February of FY 2022/23, the manufacturers earned around Rs 1,293.96 crore by exporting 58,471.80 tons of honey to America. Besides America, UAE (Rs 69.72 cr), Saudi Arabia (Rs 30.63 cr), Libya and Morocco are other favourable export destinations for organic honey from India.   Meanwhile, recent years witnessed a growing appeal for organic honey produced in the country, with an export of 73,51.97 tons and a 25 per cent increase in revenue generation recorded last financial year. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab and Bihar are the largest producers of honey in the country.  Source:  english.mathrubhumi.com
15 May, 2023 India-EU trade, technology council first meeting at Brussels on May 16. The first ministerial level meeting of India-European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will be held on May 16 in Brussels to discuss ways to increase cooperation in strategic technologies, digital connectivity, clean energy, trade and investments, an official statement said on Sunday. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal is one of the co-chairs along with external affairs minister S Jaishankar and Union minister of state for electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the commerce ministry said in a statement.   The EU side is co-chaired by Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs) Dombrovskis and Vestager.   It said that three working groups under the mechanism will report on roadmaps for future cooperation between the two sides -- Working Group on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity; Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies; and Working Group on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.   'The first ministerial meeting will lay the roadmap for the cooperation under all three working groups and provide direction to achieve desired outcomes before the next ministerial meeting in the coming year,' it added.   During the high level meetings with senior leadership of the European Union as well as Belgium various issues would come up for discussions and that include ongoing negotiations for Free Trade Agreement (FTA), addressing issues of mutual market access, reforms in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).   The working group on trade, investment and resilient value chains is steered by the Department of Commerce and the first meeting of the working group was co-chaired by commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal and Sabine Weyand, Director General for Trade, from respective sides.  Source:  m.economictimes.com
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