If you are new to exports, the biggest question is always the same. What should I ship first? These are the ten product categories still working from India in 2026 based on live shipments we run at Kore International and see across the Ahmedabad exporter community. Pair this list with the HS Code Finder to lock the exact classification for your product.
1. Whole spices and seeds
Turmeric, chilli, cumin, coriander, and sesame remain India's strongest agri exports. Buyer geographies are the USA, the UK, MENA, Vietnam, and China. Watch pesticide residue limits, especially ethylene oxide for the EU. Margins are workable if you buy directly from the mandi and skip aggregators.
2. Basmati and non basmati rice
India accounts for the majority of global basmati exports. Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the UK are the top buyers. Non basmati parboiled rice ships heavily to West Africa. Watch the DGFT notifications closely because rice export policy changes without warning.
3. Engineering goods and fasteners
Auto components, hand tools, precision fasteners, and CNC machined parts to the USA, Germany, and Southeast Asia. India is the world's second largest fastener exporter after China. Margins are strong for buyers looking to diversify away from China.
4. Cotton fabric and garments
Ready made garments to the US and EU, cotton fabric to Bangladesh and Vietnam for reprocessing. Look at the RoSCTL incentive and the RoDTEP rate for your specific HS code before quoting because these can shift your landed cost significantly.
5. Pharmaceuticals and API
India is the pharmacy of the world. Generic formulations, active pharmaceutical ingredients, veterinary medicines to Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. High barrier to entry because of regulatory approvals but very sticky buyer relationships once approved.
6. Ceramics and sanitaryware
Morbi in Gujarat is the second largest ceramic hub in the world. Vitrified tiles, wall tiles, and sanitaryware to the Middle East, USA, and Latin America. Watch anti dumping duties in specific destination markets.
7. Handicrafts and home decor
Handmade jute bags, brass decor, cotton throws, and wooden furniture to the USA, UK, and Australia. Amazon Global Selling has opened this category up dramatically. Margins are best when you skip the middleman and go direct to a small chain buyer.
8. Leather and leather goods
Finished leather, gloves, industrial safety leather, and fashion accessories to the EU and USA. Kanpur and Chennai are the hubs. LWG compliance is now table stakes for European buyers.
9. Marine products
Frozen shrimp, fish fillets, and value added seafood to the USA, EU, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. This is a specialised category with strict cold chain and traceability requirements. High revenue per container but high compliance load.
10. IT and IT enabled services
Not a container product, but the largest export category from India by value. Software, BPO, KPO, and digital services delivered globally. Different playbook than physical exports, mostly around STPI registration, SOFTEX filing, and USD bank realisation.
How to actually pick your product
Read this list, then ignore it if none of these fit your source geography or existing network. The best export product is the one you can source at a real price, ship at a real cost, and quote to a buyer whose intent you can verify. The Kore EXIM Academy master course walks every batch through this decision in the first week using live buyer data from Kore International's active shipments.
If you have a product in mind and want a second opinion, book a free thirty minute advisor call and we will tell you honestly whether it has legs in 2026.
