Gujarat has successfully retained its position as India’s largest exporting state in the fiscal year 2025-26, contributing more than a quarter of the nation’s total outbound trade. This achievement comes despite global headwinds and softer commodity prices that have exerted downward pressure on export values.
Dominance in National Exports
According to data released by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Gujarat recorded exports worth $110.63 billion during the fiscal year, which represents 25.6% of India’s total exports. The state remained well ahead of Maharashtra, which ranked second with exports of $70 billion and a 16.2% share of the national export basket.
Year-on-Year Decline
While Gujarat maintained its dominance, exports declined by 4.9% year-on-year compared to 2024-25. Trade officials attributed this fall primarily to tariff-related challenges in key international markets and subdued prices of major export commodities. DGFT officials noted that stable crude oil prices and continued weakness in natural diamond prices affected the overall value of exports from sectors that form a significant part of Gujarat’s trade profile.
Structural Advantages
Dr Rahul Singh, joint director of DGFT, emphasized that Gujarat’s sustained leadership reflects long-term structural advantages. “Gujarat has been at the top in the ranking of major exporting states. It has entrepreneurship, good infrastructure, proactive policies and port connectivity, which have played a key role in establishing it as a global supplier,” Singh said.
Key Export Sectors
Industry experts highlighted that petroleum and petrochemicals continue to anchor Gujarat’s export performance. Jamnagar remained the state’s largest exporting district, followed by Ahmedabad, Surat and Kutch, underscoring the importance of refining, manufacturing and port-based logistics ecosystems. Besides petroleum products, Gujarat’s export basket includes pearls and semi-precious stones, pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, ceramics, agrochemicals, and iron and steel products.
Role of Refining Infrastructure
Sudhanshu Mehta, secretary of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), said the state’s refining infrastructure remains a critical driver of exports. “Refineries like Reliance’s in Jamnagar along with Nayara Energy and IOC’s Koyali plant play a major role,” he said. Mehta added that investments in petrochemical hubs at Dahej and Vadodara have helped create a strong downstream manufacturing base. “Beyond refining, Gujarat developed petrochemical hubs in Dahej and Vadodara, which catalysed the growth of downstream industries,” he said.
Diversification and Global Reach
The expansion of these industrial ecosystems has enabled Gujarat to diversify its export portfolio and deepen its presence in international markets. “As a result, the state now leads in exports of chemicals, textiles, plastics, and pharmaceuticals to markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East,” Mehta said.
Global Challenges and Opportunities
Industry leaders also pointed to a mixed global environment during the year. Manish Kiri, chairman and managing director of a chemical company, said tariff barriers posed challenges for exporters, particularly in the United States. “US tariffs affected exports in 2025-26 but weak rupee increased competitiveness in the international markets,” he said.
