Gold imports dip 47% in Apr-Oct to $9.28 bn

Gold imports, which have a bearing on the current account deficit, declined 47.42 per cent to $9.28 billion during April-October due to fall in demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the commerce ministry.

Imports of the yellow metal stood at $17.64 billion in the corresponding period of 2019-20.

The imports, however, recorded a growth of about 36 per cent in October.

Silver imports during the period too dipped 64.65 per cent to $742 million.

The decline in gold and silver imports has helped in narrowing the country's trade deficit, difference between imports and exports, to $32.16 billion during April-October 2020-21 as against $100.67 billion in the year-ago period.

India is the largest importer of gold, which mainly caters to demand of jewellery industry.

In volume terms, the country imports 800-900 tonne of gold annually.

Gems and jewellery exports declined by about 49.5 per cent to $11.61 billion in April-October 2020.

Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters