INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
In November, trade deficit more than doubled to $23.27 billionFollowing the record $23.27 billion trade deficit in November, a foreign
brokerage has increased its current account deficit (CAD) forecast to 1.9 per cent of GDP at $60 billion for 2021-22 as compared to $45
billion earlier.The government released the trade data on Wednesday which showed that exports rose 26.5 per cent year-on-year to $29.88
billion last month, while imports soared 57.2 per cent to $53.15 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $23.27 billion.Trade deficit--the
difference between a country's imports and exports -- has been rising and remains sticky, driven by weaker exports, surging domestic
activity and higher commodity prices, a Barclays report said.While recent correction in crude prices may mildly support deficit trends, a
sustainable merchandise deficit level on an average basis is around $16-17 billion per month for the country, which can keep the CAD closer
to a sustainable range of 2 per cent.But at the current pace, CAD on an annualised basis is running closer to 3 per cent
"Accounting for some of reductions in the near-term, we raise our CAD forecast to $60 billion (from $45 billion earlier), or 1.9 per cent of
GDP this fiscal," the report said.Exports in April-November 2021 stood at $262.46 billion, an increase of 50.71 per cent from the same
On the other hand, imports grew 75.39 per cent to $384.44 billion, taking the trade deficit to $121.98 billion during the eight-month period
of this fiscal year.In November, trade deficit more than doubled to $23.27 billion as gold imports grew about 8 per cent to $4.22 billion
and other inbound shipments like crude surged 132.44 per cent to $14.68 billion.The record high trade deficit in November is largely due to
weaker exports, but also partly on account of ongoing strength in imports, which have remained elevated for three straight months, Barclays
said and noted that exports moderated materially to $29.88 billion last month.The report attributed the higher import bill of $53.2 billion
to the elevated commodity prices and recovering domestic demand.