India’s Apparel Exports Rise 9% in Q1; U.S. Remains Top Buyer

The United States, United Arab Emirates, and China have emerged as India’s top export destinations for electronic goods in the April–June quarter of the 2025–26 fiscal year, signaling the country’s deepening integration into the global supply chain and its growing stature as a reliable electronics manufacturing hub.

According to the latest data released by the Commerce Ministry, India's electronic goods exports witnessed a robust 47% growth, rising to $12.41 billion in the first quarter of FY26 compared to the same period last year.

The U.S. continues to dominate as India’s largest market for electronic exports, accounting for a staggering 60.17% share. It is followed by the UAE (8.09%), China (3.88%), the Netherlands (2.68%), and Germany (2.09%).

“This geographical spread highlights India’s rising relevance in the global electronics supply chain and showcases its credibility as an alternative manufacturing hub in Asia,” a senior Commerce Ministry official said.

Ready-Made Garments: U.S. Still Leads, UK and UAE Follow

The ready-made garment (RMG) sector — one of the pillars of India's textile industry — also saw healthy export growth in the first quarter of FY26. RMG exports rose to $4.19 billion from $3.85 billion in the same quarter of the previous fiscal, reflecting a year-on-year growth of nearly 9%.

The U.S. retained its position as the leading destination for Indian apparel, commanding a 34.11% share of all exports. The United Kingdom (8.81%), UAE (7.85%), Germany (5.51%), and Spain (5.29%) rounded out the top five markets.

“India’s sustained competitiveness in the global apparel sector is a result of its skilled manufacturing base, diversified product mix, and reputation for quality and compliance,” the official added.

For the full fiscal year 2024–25, RMG exports grew by 10.03%, reaching $15.99 billion compared to $14.53 billion in FY24.

Marine Exports Make a Splash with 19% Growth

India’s marine exports also posted impressive numbers. In the April–June quarter of FY26, exports in this sector rose by 19.45% to $1.95 billion. During the previous fiscal year, marine exports had risen modestly by 4.5% to reach $7.41 billion.

The U.S. again stood out as the largest destination for Indian seafood, importing 37.63% of total marine exports. China (17.26%), Vietnam (6.63%), Japan (4.47%), and Belgium (3.57%) were also key markets.

According to ministry officials, the growth in marine exports is being driven by product diversification, improved cold chain infrastructure, and stringent adherence to international quality standards.

India's Dependence on High-Value, Mature Markets

A closer analysis of India’s export performance in electronics, apparel, and marine products reveals a recurring theme — a strong dependence on mature and high-value global markets.

“The U.S. consistently emerges as India’s most important trading partner across multiple sectors, reinforcing its critical role in India's export strategy,” the official said.

With sustained demand from traditional markets and the government’s push for manufacturing competitiveness under initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, India’s export trajectory in key sectors continues to show promising momentum heading into the rest of FY26.

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