NEW DELHI, May 15 Reuters India39;s merchandise trade deficit in April was wider than expected, hurt by lower exports and a surge in gold imports, government data showed on Wednesday.

India39;s April merchandise trade deficit stood at 19.1 billion, according to a Reuters calculation, higher than economists39; expectation of 17.23 billion, according to a Reuters poll. In March it was 15.6 billion.

India39;s merchandise exports in April stood at 34.99 billion, while imports were 54.09 billion, government data showed. In March, merchandise exports were 41.68 billion, while imports stood at 57.28 billion.

In April gold imports more than doubled to 3.11 billion, compared with 1.53 billion in March. The country, which is the world39;s third consumer of oil, imported 16.46 billion worth of oil in April compared with 17.23 billion, the government said.

Gold imports are well within the average trend. It is not an exception, Trade Secretary Sunil Barthwal said.

Most of the central banks are buying gold because of conflicts. Gold prices have increased and in terms of value imports are appearing to be high.

The share of gold in India39;s foreign reserves rose to 8.15 at endMarch from 7.37 at the end of September.

Services exports in April were 29.57 billion, while imports of 16.97 billion compared with 28.54 billion and 15.84 billion respectively in March.

Reporting by Sarita Chaganti Singh in New Delhi; Graphics by Riddhima Talwani; Editing by Ros Russell

Source Reuters