NEW DELHI, February 16 (ANI): India’s silver import value surged 128.95 percent during April–December 2025, driven by a sharp rise in both prices and volumes, while gold imports recorded modest growth in value even as quantities declined, according to data released by the Commerce Ministry on Monday.
Silver imports climbed to USD 7.77 billion in April–December 2025 from USD 3.39 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier. The increase was supported by a 56.07 percent rise in quantity imported and a 46.69 percent increase in unit prices.
Import volumes rose to 5,727.07 thousand kilograms from 369.48 thousand kilograms, while the average unit price increased to USD 1,356.98 per kilogram from USD 925.06 per kilogram.
In contrast, gold imports grew 1.83 percent in value terms to USD 49.39 billion during April–December 2025, compared with USD 48.51 billion in April–December 2024.
The marginal increase came despite an 18.29 percent decline in import quantity, reflecting the impact of higher prices. Gold import volumes fell to 522.38 thousand kilograms from 639.30 thousand kilograms, even as the unit price rose 24.62 percent to USD 94,554.33 per kilogram from USD 75,873.08 per kilogram.
Longer-term trends indicate a structural shift in India’s gold imports, with value rising sharply over time while volumes have stagnated or declined. Gold import value increased from USD 32.91 billion in FY19 to USD 58.01 billion in FY25, a 76 percent rise over six years.
However, import quantity declined from 982.72 tons in FY19 to 757.10 tons in FY25, marking a 23 percent reduction.
For FY26 (April–December), gold imports totaled USD 49.39 billion in value and 474.99 tons in quantity, indicating continued price-led dynamics in the precious metals trade.
The Commerce Ministry data further showed that India’s overall exports, including merchandise and services, increased 13.16 percent year over year to USD 80.45 billion in January 2026, compared with USD 71.09 billion in January 2025.
Overall imports during the month rose 18.77 percent to USD 90.83 billion from USD 76.48 billion in January 2025.
India’s overall trade deficit, including merchandise and services, widened significantly to USD 10.38 billion in January 2026, nearly doubling from USD 5.39 billion in the corresponding month last year. (ANI)
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