India’s export story is increasingly shaped not just by national policy but by the economic performance of its states. As global trade dynamics evolve, understanding which states are powering export growth and why offers valuable insights for exporters, policymakers, and trade financiers.
Gujarat: India’s Unchallenged Export Leader
Gujarat is India’s top exporting state for FY 2024‑25, with outbound shipments valued at ₹9.83 lakh crore, representing roughly 26.6 % of the country’s total exports. Its export dominance is primarily driven by petroleum and refinery products, as well as gems & jewellery, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods with Jamnagar alone contributing over one‑third of the state’s exports.
Maharashtra: Diversified Industrial Exports
Maharashtra consistently ranks as the second‑largest exporting state, with exports of over ₹5.57 lakh crore in 2024‑25. The state benefits from a diversified industrial base including automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods, supported by major ports like Mumbai and Nhava Sheva that facilitate large‑scale international shipments.
Tamil Nadu & Karnataka: Southern Growth Engines
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka occupy the next tier of export strength, with both states showing robust performance in goods such as automobiles, electronics, IT hardware, and machinery. Combined data shows these southern states, along with Gujarat and Maharashtra, collectively account for a significant portion of India’s overall export volume.
Emerging Export Contributors Across India
Beyond the traditional leaders, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh also contribute meaningfully to the export mix, driven by sectors such as IT services, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products.
West Bengal, Haryana, Odisha, and others play niche roles, often leveraging geographic proximity to ports or specialized manufacturing clusters.
India Data Map
This broader landscape reflects the increasing diversification of India’s export base beyond a few dominant states.
Export Concentration & Regional Disparities
Data shows that a few states contribute the lion’s share of exports: Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu together account for more than 60 % of the nation’s total export value. Meanwhile, other states are improving their export capacities but still lag in absolute terms highlighting regional disparities and opportunities for targeted growth initiatives.
Sectoral Patterns Behind State Performance
Gujarat’s export lead owes much to upstream industries such as petroleum refining and chemicals. Maharashtra’s strength lies in manufacturing, while Tamil Nadu and Karnataka benefit from electronics, automotive and technology exports.
Across the board, service exports, especially from software hubs in Karnataka and Telangana, add depth to states’ foreign exchange earnings.
What This Means for MSMEs and Export Finance
State leadership in exports often correlates with better infrastructure, port access, and business ecosystems factors that attract capital and enhance trade competitiveness. MSMEs in top exporting states can leverage:
- Proximity to exporters hubs
- Access to global buyers
- Enhanced supply‑chain financing availability
For trade finance platforms like M1 NXT and traditional financiers, this data underscores where liquidity demand and export‑linked financing are likely to be most concentrated.
Mapping India’s Export Frontier
India’s export landscape continues to evolve, with traditional powerhouses like Gujarat and Maharashtra still leading, and other states increasingly contributing through diversified sectors. As export strategies adapt to global demand and supply dynamics, state‑level insights become essential for stakeholders across the trade finance ecosystem from MSMEs seeking working capital to financiers tailoring structured credit solutions.