India Reports Record $863.1 Billion Exports for FY2025-26

The Government of India achieved record-breaking total exports of $863.1 billion in FY2025-26, with merchandise exports reaching $441.8 billion and services exports totaling $421.3 billion. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada informed the Lok Sabha that free trade agreements signed after 2021 have diversified exports and deepened global market access. Notable growth occurred under the CEPA with the UAE, which saw $37.3 billion in exports, and the ECTA with Australia, which reached $7.2 billion.

Agricultural exports also showed significant growth between January and June 2026. Rice exports rose 5% to 12.27 million metric tons, led by a 9.6% increase in non-basmati shipments to Africa. This growth offset a 5.5% decline in basmati exports resulting from trade disruptions in Gulf markets caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Government officials noted that ample supplies made Indian rice more competitive than shipments from Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

Other commodity surges included a 400% increase in corn exports to 1.42 million tons due to record production. Wheat exports also rose to 161,187 tons after the government lifted export restrictions specifically for Nepal. Minister Prasada emphasized that labor-intensive sectors remain a priority in ongoing negotiations with partners including the United Kingdom and New Zealand.