Commerce Ministry data highlights growth in diversified export markets and high-value manufacturing sectors

India’s merchandise exports to North America, North-East Asia, and Latin America together accounted for more than 35 per cent of the country’s total exports during 2025-26, according to Commerce Ministry data. Total merchandise exports reached $441.78 billion in FY26, supported by demand across engineering goods, chemicals, industrial products, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.

The data showed that India’s export strategy continued to shift toward diversified markets amid global trade disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties. North America remained the largest export destination, accounting for exports worth $97.7 billion, representing 22.1 per cent of India’s total exports. Growth in the region remained relatively moderate at 1.3 per cent year-on-year.

North-East Asia recorded the strongest growth among the major regions, with exports increasing 21.6 per cent to $41.6 billion. The region’s share in India’s exports rose to 9.4 per cent. Demand for Indian electronics, engineering goods, chemicals, and industrial products contributed to the increase. Countries in the region include China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, and Taiwan.

Exports to East Africa rose 13.7 per cent to $12.6 billion, accounting for 2.9 per cent of India’s exports, while exports to North Africa increased 14.8 per cent to $8 billion, with a 1.8 per cent share. The report stated that Asia, Africa, and Latin America together contributed more than 35 per cent of India’s outbound shipments in FY26.

Latin America also recorded growth, with exports increasing 7.8 per cent to $16.4 billion, contributing 3.7 per cent to total exports. India’s exports to the region included automobiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, engineering goods, textiles, and petroleum products. The region also remained an important source for minerals, energy resources, and agricultural commodities.

According to the Commerce Ministry, export diversification also expanded at the product level, with Indian exporters entering 1,821 new principal commodity markets during FY26. Advanced manufacturing sectors including shipbuilding, telecom instruments, industrial boilers, railway equipment, and aerospace components registered increasing global demand.

Ship, boat, and floating structures emerged as the single largest contributor among advanced engineering sectors, generating $57 million across 19 new markets. Nuclear reactors, industrial boilers, and related parts recorded exports worth $14.3 million across 13 new markets, while telecom instruments expanded into 20 new markets with exports valued at $5.8 million.

The report also noted increasing participation from sectors including aircraft and spacecraft parts, railway transport equipment, graphite, explosives, and consumer electronics, indicating a broader manufacturing export base.