Gujarat Leads India’s Export Boom: State-wise Merchandise Exports in FY 2024–25
India’s merchandise export performance in FY 2024–25 reveals a remarkable trend: states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are powering the country’s outward trade trajectory. Among them, Gujarat stands tall, contributing nearly 30.7% of the total exports, which translates to approximately ₹9.65 lakh crore out of India’s ₹31.5 lakh crore (US$437.4 billion) total merchandise exports. This exceptional performance places Gujarat once again at the forefront of India’s economic engine.
The year also saw interesting regional developments. Jamnagar, a relatively smaller district, emerged as a crucial node in Gujarat’s export framework, driven largely by petroleum refining. This article takes a deep dive into state-wise export contributions, key drivers, sectoral strengths, and the broader implications for India’s trade ambitions.
India’s Total Merchandise Exports: FY 2024–25 Snapshot
According to data released by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) and validated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India recorded total merchandise exports worth US$437.4 billion in FY 2024–25. At the average exchange rate of ₹83 per dollar, this equals ₹31.5 lakh crore.
Despite global headwinds including high inflation, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and weak demand from Western markets, India showed resilience. Strategic policies, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and improved logistics have supported Indian exporters across various states.
Gujarat: India’s Export Powerhouse
Total exports: ₹9.65 lakh crore (~US$116.3 billion)
Share of national exports: 30.7%
Gujarat continues to dominate India’s merchandise export landscape, thanks to its well-developed industrial clusters, superior infrastructure, and robust policy support. The state has consistently topped the rankings for the past several years.
Jamnagar’s Spectacular Role
One of the standout contributors this year is Jamnagar, which alone accounted for over one-third of Gujarat’s exports—nearly ₹3.5 lakh crore worth. The district’s economy is anchored by the world’s largest oil refining complex operated by Reliance Industries and a strong base of petroleum and petrochemical industries.
Exports from Jamnagar are primarily led by:
- Petroleum products
- Base metals
- Machinery and mechanical appliances
- Gems and jewellery
Jamnagar’s performance underscores how strategically located industrial zones can transform regional economies and drive national export agendas.
Maharashtra: The Industrial Powerhouse
Total exports: ₹4.46 lakh crore (~US$53.7 billion)
Share of national exports: ~14.1%
Maharashtra remains among India’s top exporting states. The Mumbai-Pune-Navi Mumbai-Nagpur belt serves as the industrial heartland, exporting vehicles, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and textiles. Maharashtra benefits from having two of India’s busiest ports: JNPT and Mumbai Port Trust, which ease cargo handling and global access.
Sectors driving exports include:
- Auto and auto components
- Pharmaceuticals
- Gems and jewellery
- IT hardware and electronics
Tamil Nadu: The Engineering and Textile Hub
Total exports: ₹3.25 lakh crore (~US$39.2 billion)
Share of national exports: ~10.3%
Tamil Nadu’s strength lies in its diverse manufacturing ecosystem—from textiles and garments to electronics, automobiles, and leather products. The Chennai region, Coimbatore, and Tiruppur are major contributors.
Highlights:
- Second-largest automobile exporter after Maharashtra
- Major hub for cotton garments and hosiery
- Fast-growing electronics and renewable energy components sector
Tamil Nadu’s policy ecosystem supports MSMEs and exporters with subsidies, incentives, and port development.
Karnataka: The IT and Aerospace Engine
Total exports: ₹2.74 lakh crore (~US$33 billion)
Share of national exports: ~8.7%
Though Karnataka is more renowned for services exports, it also plays a key role in merchandise exports—especially in electronics, aerospace components, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture (coffee, spices).
Bengaluru and Mangaluru are the primary export clusters. Karnataka also exports marine products, biotechnology items, and engineering goods.
Other Notable Exporting States
Uttar Pradesh:
₹1.83 lakh crore (~US$22 billion)
Driven by handicrafts, textiles, leather, and electronics, especially from Noida and Kanpur.
Haryana:
₹1.53 lakh crore (~US$18.4 billion)
Focus on automobiles, machinery, and agri-based products.
Andhra Pradesh:
₹1.47 lakh crore (~US$17.7 billion)
Strong base in marine products, iron ore, and bulk drugs.
West Bengal:
₹1.34 lakh crore (~US$16.1 billion)
Exports include tea, jute, leather, and engineering goods.
Telangana:
₹1.20 lakh crore (~US$14.5 billion)
Noted for pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and engineering.
Sectoral Composition of Indian Exports
The major categories driving India’s merchandise exports are:
- Petroleum products – ₹7.35 lakh crore
- Engineering goods – ₹6.52 lakh crore
- Gems and jewellery – ₹3.58 lakh crore
- Pharmaceuticals – ₹2.78 lakh crore
- Textiles and garments – ₹2.43 lakh crore
- Electronics – ₹1.65 lakh crore
- Agro and marine – ₹2.32 lakh crore
States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu dominate these segments due to their historical industrial development and access to ports.
Why Gujarat Dominates
Several factors explain Gujarat’s lead in exports:
- Strategic Location: It has the longest coastline (1,600 km) and multiple major ports like Kandla, Mundra, Pipavav.
- Infrastructure: Top-class industrial parks, SEZs, expressways, and logistics hubs.
- Policy Push: Export-oriented policies, ease of doing business, and sector-specific incentives.
- Sectoral Strength: Strong clusters in petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, engineering, and gems.
- Private Investment: Presence of giants like Reliance, Adani, and Essar boosts volumes.
Policy Outlook and Future Potential
India aims to cross US$500 billion in merchandise exports in FY 2025–26. Several new initiatives aim to support this:
- PLI (Production Linked Incentive) Schemes for electronics, pharma, textiles
- Expansion of districts as export hubs (DEH program)
- Modernization of ports under the Sagarmala project
- FTAs with UK, EU, and Gulf countries in advanced stages
States like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh are also being encouraged to develop export infrastructure and diversify product bases.
Conclusion
Gujarat’s commanding lead in merchandise exports—crossing ₹9.65 lakh crore in FY 2024–25—highlights the power of well-executed state-level policy, robust infrastructure, and industry synergy. But the bigger picture is also promising: several Indian states are stepping up their game, building local capacity, and contributing to India’s ambitions of becoming a global manufacturing hub.
As India moves toward its $5-trillion economy vision, state-wise export competitiveness will be the key determinant in its success story.
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