India's merchandise exports in May 2024 rose by 9% to $38.13 billion, from $34.95 billion in the year-ago month, according to government data released on Friday.

Imports too increased by 7.7% to $61.91 billion, from $57.48 billion in May 2023.

Trade deficit, or the gap between imports and exports, during the month under review stood at $23.78 billion.

Briefing media on the data, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said May has been an excellent month in terms of exports and "I hope that this trend will continue".

In April 2024, outbound shipments rose by one per cent to $35 billion.

Exports during April-May this fiscal rose by 5.1% to $73.12 billion and imports rose by 8.89% to $116 billion during April-May 2024-25.

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