India's Feb gold imports to hit 20-year low on record high prices, sources say

India's gold imports are set to tumble 85% in February from year ago levels to their lowest in 20 years, with demand sapped by record prices for the precious metal, a government official and three bank dealers told Reuters. Lower gold imports could help India narrow its trade deficit and support the rupee that is trading near record low against the dollar. India is the world's second biggest consumer of the precious metal. "Banks and jewellers have cleared a very small amount of gold from customs so far this month. Unless prices crash in the next 2-3 days, we are unlikely to see any improvement in the import numbers," said a government official, who declined to be named as he was not authorised to talk to the media. Spot gold prices hit a record high of $2,956.15 per troy ounce on Monday. [GOL/] India's gold imports in February are likely to fall to around 15 metric tons, the lowest for the month in at least two decades, from 103 tons in February, 2024, the official added. In the past decade, on average, India imported 76.5 tons of gold in February. "The price surge killed demand, and we were stuck with the gold we brought in January. No point in importing more in February," said a Mumbai-based bullion division head of a gold importing bank. In India, domestic prices rose to a record 86,592 rupees per 10 grams last week. Another Mumbai-based bullion dealer said at least two banks moved imported gold that was stored at a customs-free zone in India to the U.S. as the Indian market was trading at a discount. "When the U.S. market is offering nearly a 1% premium, there's no point in selling in India by offering a $35 per ounce discount," he said. The sharp drop in February imports was unusual for the jewellery industry, as the wedding season is ongoing in the country, when usually demand rises, said a Kolkata-based bullion dealer. Weddings are a major driver of gold purchases in India, with bullion in the form of jewellery forming a crucial part of a bride's attire and a popular gift from family and guests.