Market diversification initiatives have led to good growth in India’s merchandise exports to various regions including Africa, ASEAN and North-East Asia during the April-August period of the current financial year. This information is given in the data of Ministry of Commerce. India’s exports to West Asia, affected by the US-Iran war, are also slowly returning to pre-crisis levels. India’s exports to West Asia were US$ 4.2 billion in April, which increased to US$ 5.01 billion in August. It was $6.48 billion in January this year.

Export with Africa

According to the data, India’s merchandise exports to Africa rose 47 percent year-on-year to $26.19 billion in April-August 2026-27 from $17.83 billion in the same period last year. During the period under review, the share of Africa in India’s total exports increased to 12.2 percent from 9.7 percent in the same period last year. Exports to East Africa nearly doubled to $8.95 billion, a 94 percent increase. Exports to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) increased by 53 percent to $5.09 billion and to North Africa by 33 percent to $4.03 billion. Exports to West Africa rose seven percent to $5.57 billion during the period.

Trade of ASEAN countries

Similarly, during April-August, India’s exports to member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) increased by 56 per cent to $23.08 billion. At the same time, exports to Northeast Asia rose 37 percent to $21.03 billion. Exports to other countries in South Asia and Europe registered an increase of 24 percent. ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. According to the data, exports of light commercial trucks and medium range trucks increased by 71 per cent and 67 per cent respectively during April-August 2026-27. This indicates strong demand for these vehicles in foreign markets.