---
title: "India's October Exports Rise to $89.99 Billion, Trade Deficit Narrows"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/business/indias-october-exports-rise-to-8999-billion-trade-deficit-narrows"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/indias-october-exports-rise-to-8999-billion-trade-deficit-narrows"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/indias-october-exports-rise-to-8999-billion-trade-deficit-narrows.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/indias-october-exports-rise-to-8999-billion-trade-deficit-narrows"
category: "Business & Economy"
area: "India"
published: "2026-11-13T10:45:49.553Z"
source_reported: "2026-11-13T10:02:38.000Z"
updated: "2026-11-13T15:00:37.805Z"
trust_score: 68
critic_score: 70
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-11-13T20:03:21.757Z"
---

# India's October Exports Rise to $89.99 Billion, Trade Deficit Narrows

*Merchandise exports hit a record high, but the goods trade deficit widened.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Central claims corroborated by 10 outlets, with specific figures attributed to government data and Trade Secretary.
- Craft 70 of 100, higher is better. Reporting clearly separates overall and merchandise trade figures, and notes the impact of energy costs.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines focus on record exports and widening deficit, with some outlets highlighting 'global shocks'.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- India's overall exports grew by 29.9% to $89.99 billion in October 2026.
- The overall trade deficit decreased to $20.09 billion in October 2026.
- Merchandise exports achieved a record $49.47 billion in October 2026.
- The merchandise trade deficit widened to $39.88 billion, a one-year high.

India's overall exports, encompassing both merchandise and services, increased by 29.9% to $89.99 billion in October 2026, compared to $69.27 billion in the same month of the previous year. This growth was driven by a significant rise in goods shipments. Consequently, the country's overall trade deficit narrowed to $20.09 billion in October 2026, down from $25.15 billion in October 2025. Merchandise imports rose to $89.35 billion in October 2026.

Merchandise exports reached a record $49.47 billion in October 2026. Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated that India recorded its highest-ever monthly goods exports during this period. Despite this record, the merchandise trade deficit widened to $39.88 billion in October 2026, marking a one-year high. This widening deficit was attributed to imports rising faster than exports, with overall imports reaching $110.07 billion in October 2026.

## Disagreement on merchandise trade deficit figures

The Times of India reported that the merchandise trade deficit climbed to $39.88 billion in October, citing a Reuters calculation based on government data. [your]NEWS and The Hindu Business Line also reported the merchandise trade deficit at $39.88 billion for October. Moneycontrol stated the goods trade deficit widened from $30.21 billion in September to $39.88 billion in October. The Economic Times reported the merchandise trade deficit widened to $39.88 billion in October, surpassing economists' forecasts. However, Hindustan Times reported the overall trade deficit narrowed to $20.09 billion in October, without specifying the merchandise deficit in that figure.

## What the coverage left out

None of the centre-rated reports mention the specific figure for merchandise imports, which rose to $89.35 billion in October 2026. The right-rated reports also do not mention the specific figure for merchandise imports.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 13 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 15% (2)
- Centre: 46% (6)
- Right: 39% (5)

8 of 21 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-13T20:03:21.757Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 4 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-13T20:30:32.294Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

No separate framing summary.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports led with the overall increase in exports and the narrowing of the overall trade deficit. Hindustan Times reported that India's exports jumped 29.9% to $89.99 billion in October, and the trade deficit narrowed. WTVB's headline stated India’s October merchandise trade deficit rose to a one-year high of $39.88 billion, while The Economic Times reported India’s October merchandise trade deficit widens to one-year high of $39.88 billion as imports surge. Both centre-rated outlets carried the merchandise trade deficit figure prominently.

### Right

- The right-rated reports focused on the record merchandise exports and the widening merchandise trade deficit. The Times of India's headline highlighted that India's exports jumped 29.9% to $89.99 billion in October, with merchandise exports hitting a record $49.47 billion. [your]NEWS led with "India’s Trade Deficit Hits $39.88 Billion as Imports Surge to Record Levels." The Hindu Business Line's headline stated "India's October merchandise trade deficit rose to one-year high of $39.88 billion." Moneycontrol reported "India's merchandise trade deficit widens to one-year high of $39.88 bn in October despite record exports."

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 7
- high: 3
- unknown: 8
- veryHigh: 3

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [namasthe telangana](https://ntnews.com/business/indias-trade-deficit-hits-yearly-high-of-39-88-billion-in-october-2559765) — Trade Deficit Hits Year-High
- [Live Mint](https://livemint.com/news/trade-deficit-hits-one-year-high-in-october-despite-record-exports-11794578747412.html) — Trade deficit hits one-year high in October despite record exports
- [Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/business/india-october-2026-trade-data-record-exports-50-billion-10962151) — Goods exports log all-time high of $50 billion in October, trade gap at year’s peak
- [alborsaanews.com](https://alborsaanews.com/2026/11/13/2006056) — India's Trade Deficit Is the Highest in a Year with Gold Import Jumps - the Stock Exchange.
- [Independent Journal Review](https://ijr.com/discover/finance-2026-11-13-india-october-exports-rise-299-90b-b8f89750) — India Exports Rise 29.9% to $90B as Imports Hit Record
- [Social News XYZ](https://socialnews.xyz/2026/11/13/indias-merchandise-exports-rise-to-record-high-of-49-47-billion-in-oct-despite-global-shocks) — India’s merchandise exports rise to record high of $49.47 billion in Oct despite global shocks
- [The Hindu](https://thehindu.com/business/Economy/india-exports-october-26-trade-deficit-numbers/article71697532.ece) — India's exports up 29.9% in October; trade deficit narrows to $20.09 billion
- [Orissa POST](https://orissapost.com/indias-exports-up-29-9-to-89-99-bn-in-october-trade-deficit-narrows-to-20-09-bn) — India's exports up 29.9% to $89.99 bn in October; trade deficit narrows to $20.09 bn - OrissaPOST
- [TV9 Hindi](https://tv9hindi.com/business/indias-exports-up-29-9-pc-to-usd-89-99-bn-in-october-trade-deficit-narrows-to-usd-20-09-bn-3962409.html) — Good News on the Economic Front! Exports Surged and the Trade Deficit Declined in October.
- [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/11/13/7264911/indias-trade-deficit-hits-39-88-billion-as-imports-surge-to) — India’s Trade Deficit Hits $39.88 Billion as Imports Surge to Record Levels
- [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-11-13/india-s-trade-deficit-widens-as-festive-demand-boosts-imports) — India's Trade Deficit Widens as Festive Demand Boosts Imports
- [The Hans India](https://thehansindia.com/news/cities/new-delhi/indias-merchandise-exports-rise-to-record-high-of-4947-billion-in-oct-despite-global-shocks-1141764) — India’s merchandise exports rise to record high of $49.47 billion in Oct despite global shocks
- [bhaskarlive.in](https://bhaskarlive.in/others/indias-merchandise-exports-rise-to-record-high-of-4947-billion-in-oct-despite-global-shocks-2165024) — India’s merchandise exports rise to record high of $49.47 billion in Oct despite global shocks
- [The Hindu Business Line](https://thehindubusinessline.com/economy/indias-october-merchandise-trade-deficit-rose-to-one-year-high-of-3988-billion/article71697264.ece) — India's October merchandise trade deficit rose to one-year high of $39.88 billion
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/india/indias-october-merchandise-trade-deficit-rose-one-year-high-3988-billion-2026-11-13) — India's October merchandise trade deficit rose to one-year high of $39.88 billion
- [ChiniMandi](https://chinimandi.com/indias-exports-surge-nearly-30-to-usd-89-99-billion-in-october-trade-deficit-narrows-to-usd-20-09-billion) — India's exports surge nearly 30% to USD 89.99 billion in October, trade deficit narrows to USD 20.09 billion
- [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/india-news/indias-exports-jump-29-9-to-89-99-billion-in-october-trade-deficit-narrows-101794562510983.html) — India's exports jump 29.9% to $89.99 billion in October, trade deficit narrows
- [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indias-exports-jump-29-9-to-89-99-billion-in-october-overall-trade-deficit-narrows/articleshow/135797333.cms) — India's exports jump 29.9% to $89.99 billion in October; overall trade deficit narrows
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/11/13/indias-october-merchandise-trade-deficit-rose-to-one-year-high-of-39-88-billion) — India’s October merchandise trade deficit rose to one-year high of $39.88 billion
- [Moneycontrol](https://moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/india-s-goods-trade-deficit-narrows-to-39-88-bn-in-october-14079488.html) — India's merchandise trade deficit widens to one-year high of $39.88 bn in October despite record exports
- [The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/indias-october-merchandise-trade-deficit-rises-to-one-year-high-of-39-88-billion-as-imports-surge/articleshow/135792320.cms) — India’s October merchandise trade deficit widens to one-year high of $39.88 billion as imports surge

## Questions

**What were India's overall export figures for October 2026?**

India's overall exports, including merchandise and services, increased by 29.9% to $89.99 billion in October 2026. This represents a significant rise from the $69.27 billion recorded in the same month of the previous year.

**How did India's trade deficit change in October 2026?**

India's overall trade deficit narrowed to $20.09 billion in October 2026. This is an improvement from the $25.15 billion deficit recorded in October 2025, as export growth outpaced import increases.

**What was the performance of merchandise exports in October 2026?**

Merchandise exports reached a record $49.47 billion in October 2026, the highest monthly figure for goods exports. This record performance was achieved despite global market uncertainties.

**What was the merchandise trade deficit in October 2026?**

The merchandise trade deficit widened to $39.88 billion in October 2026, reaching a one-year high. This occurred as merchandise imports increased, contributing to a larger gap between goods exports and imports.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/indias-october-exports-rise-to-8999-billion-trade-deficit-narrows. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "India's October Exports Rise to $89.99 Billion, Trade Deficit Narrows", https://mediabias.news/business/indias-october-exports-rise-to-8999-billion-trade-deficit-narrows