Gold imports decline 17% to $24 bn during April-October

New Delhi: Gold imports, which have a bearing on the current account deficit, declined 17.38 per cent to about $24 billion during April-October due to fall in demand, according to the data of the commerce ministry. Imports of the yellow metal stood at $29 billion in the corresponding period of 2021-22.

The imports during October this year also contracted by 27.47 per cent to $3.7 billion, the data showed. Silver imports during the month too dipped 34.80 per cent to $585 million. Cumulatively, the imports, however, jumped to $4.8 billion as against $1.52 billion during April-October 2021-22.

The merchandise trade deficit for April-October 2022 was estimated at $173.46 billion as against $94.16 billion in the year-ago period. India is the largest importer of gold, which mainly caters to the demand of the jewellery industry. In volume terms, the country imports 800-900 tonne of gold annually.

Gems and jewellery exports rose marginally by 1.81 per cent to $24 billion in April-October 2022. According to industry experts, demand will start picking up from January.