India's export figures
A major change has been seen in the Indian export scenario in the first half of 2025. Indian exporters changed their direction after America imposed heavy import duties of up to 50%. While earlier America used to be India's largest export market, now exporters are turning to new countries in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Due to this, the share of new markets in India's export basket has started increasing.
Even before the increasing tariffs in America, Indian companies had started spreading exports to various countries to reduce their risk. The result was that the demand for Indian textiles, gems, jewelery and marine products increased rapidly in countries like Vietnam, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. India's exports to countries like Vietnam and Belgium registered an increase of 70% to 100%. Traditional Asian partners like Thailand, Malaysia and China also significantly increased imports of Indian products.
Indian marine products exports increased by about 15.6% to $4.83 billion between January and September 2025. This growth was mainly due to increasing demand in Asia and Europe. The popularity of Indian marine products grew rapidly in Vietnam, Belgium and Thailand, while the US still remains the largest single market in the category.
India's textile industry is also moving out of the traditional markets and making its place in new countries. At the beginning of 2025, textile exports recorded a slight but positive growth of 1.23%, reaching a total of around $28 billion. Leading this growth is the United Arab Emirates, where exports increased by 8.6%. Apart from this, demand for Indian clothes has also increased in European and African countries like Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Egypt.
India's gems and jewelery sector is also moving towards new heights. The sector recorded a growth of 1.24% in the first half of 2025, taking total exports to $22.7 billion. UAE has become the largest market in this category, where exports from India increased by more than 37%. Demand for Indian jewelery is also increasing in countries like South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Canada. Interestingly, China and Mexico are now emerging as new high growth markets.
