Table of Contents
Top Headlines
- India’s merchandise exports jumped 26.12% year-on-year to $43.81 billion in August 2026.
- India’s August merchandise trade deficit narrowed slightly to $26.86 billion, compared with $27.20 billion a year earlier.
- India’s goods exports have remained strong during the first five months of FY 2026-27, with growth of more than 15% reported for April-August.
- Gem and jewellery exports increased 3.14% in August to $2.30 billion.
- Studded gold jewellery exports surged more than 51% as Indian exporters increasingly focused on value-added products.
- Indian rice exporters are expanding into new markets, with shipments to Jordan rising sharply and basmati exports to Turkey doubling.
- India is targeting $1 trillion in total exports during the current financial year.
- New trade agreements with major economies are expected to provide Indian exporters with greater market access.
- The government is promoting cross-border e-commerce exports and new export hubs.
- Engineering goods and chemicals remain important contributors to India’s export growth.
- India has approved electricity exports to Nepal for up to 18 hours a day through December 2026, strengthening regional energy trade.
India Export News Today
India’s export sector is showing strong momentum on September 15, 2026, with merchandise exports recording substantial growth in August. The latest trade figures provide positive news for manufacturers, exporters and policymakers as India attempts to expand its global market presence despite geopolitical uncertainty and changing trade policies.
India’s August Exports Jump 26%
One of the biggest India export news developments today is the sharp increase in merchandise exports during August.
India’s goods exports rose 26.12% to $43.81 billion compared with the same month last year. The strong increase helped narrow the merchandise trade deficit to $26.86 billion.
The performance comes despite continued uncertainty in international markets, changing tariff policies and geopolitical disruptions affecting global supply chains.
India’s exporters are increasingly looking at new markets and higher-value products to reduce dependence on individual destinations.
Export Growth Remains Strong in FY 2026-27
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said earlier this month that India’s merchandise exports had grown by more than 15% between April and August. Merchandise exports had already reached more than $200 billion during the first five months of the financial year, based on the reported growth rate.
India has set an ambitious target of $1 trillion in total exports for the financial year. The government expects recently concluded trade agreements to improve access for Indian products in important international markets.
India has finalized trade arrangements with partners including the United Kingdom, European Union, EFTA, New Zealand and Australia, while agreements with additional economies are being pursued.
Gem and Jewellery Exports Show Positive Momentum
India’s gem and jewellery industry is also recording encouraging results. Gross gem and jewellery exports increased 3.14% year-on-year to $2.30 billion in August.
A particularly strong performance came from studded gold jewellery, whose exports increased 51.22% to $642.85 million. Cut and polished diamond exports remained under pressure in value terms, but export volumes increased by 3.23% to 13.36 lakh carats.
The shift toward finished and value-added jewellery is important because it can create more manufacturing activity and employment within India rather than relying primarily on exports of raw or less-processed materials.
Rice Exporters Search for New Markets
India’s agricultural exports are also finding opportunities in emerging destinations.
Indian rice shipments to Jordan have increased nearly eight-fold, while India’s basmati exports to Turkey have doubled, according to the Bharat International Rice Conference.
The development reflects a broader effort by Indian exporters to diversify their customer base. Expanding into markets beyond traditional destinations could help exporters manage changing international demand and trade restrictions.
Engineering and Chemical Exports Continue to Grow
Engineering products and chemicals remain important parts of India’s export basket. Official government data showed engineering-goods exports increased 17.71% year-on-year to $12.24 billion in July 2026.
Organic and inorganic chemical exports also rose 14.39% to $2.80 billion, while cotton yarn, fabrics and made-ups increased 8.40%.
These sectors are important for India’s manufacturing ambitions because they combine domestic production, industrial employment and international demand.
Government Promotes New Export Markets
The government is pursuing several measures to make Indian exporters more competitive. These include free-trade agreements, export-promotion programs, overseas trade missions, district-level export initiatives and logistics reforms.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has also introduced an inventory-based cross-border e-commerce export framework, creating new opportunities for businesses to sell Indian products directly to international customers.
