India's Export Diversification: Textiles, Gems, and Marine Products Show Strong Growth in Non-US Markets

Indian exports of textiles, gems and jewellery, and marine products have shown significant growth in non-US markets during January-September 2025, according to data released by the commerce ministry.

The expansion into destinations such as the UAE, Vietnam, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia demonstrates a strategic diversification of India's export portfolio, with substantial increases across Asian, European, and West Asian markets.

Marine exports from India increased by 15.6 percent year-on-year to USD 4.83 billion during this period. While the United States remains the largest individual market at USD 1.44 billion, the most dramatic growth has been observed in Vietnam (100.4 percent), Belgium (73.0 percent), and Thailand (54.4 percent).

Other Asian nations also showed strong demand for Indian seafood, with exports to Malaysia rising by 64.2 percent, Japan by 10.9 percent, and China by 9.8 percent.

A government official noted, "A clear trend of export diversification is visible, with emerging destinations such as Vietnam and Belgium gaining market share, while established Asian partners like Thailand, Malaysia, and China have deepened their import volumes."

This diversification strategy appears particularly valuable as Indian exporters face a challenging 50 percent tariff in the US market. The official added that this pivot toward multiple markets is supported by improvements in India's seafood processing capacity, traceability compliance, and free trade agreements.

In the textile sector, India recorded growth of 1.23 percent during the same period, with exports reaching USD 28.05 billion. The UAE led this expansion with an 8.6 percent increase (USD 136.5 million). European markets showed promising uptake, with growth in the Netherlands (11.8 percent), Poland (24.1 percent), and Spain (9.1 percent), while Egypt demonstrated substantial interest with a 24.5 percent increase.

India's gems and jewellery exports also experienced modest growth of 1.24 percent, totaling USD 22.73 billion in the first half of 2025. The UAE maintained its position as the largest destination, with exports rising by 37.7 percent (USD 1.93 billion).

Particularly noteworthy were the increases in shipments to South Korea (134 percent), Saudi Arabia (68 percent), and Canada (41 percent). The emergence of Mexico and China as high-growth destinations signals the sector's expanding influence into Latin America and East Asia.

This broad-based export growth across multiple sectors and regions suggests India is successfully reducing its dependence on traditional markets while developing more resilient trade relationships globally.