Section 05
Possibilities: where to start
Two lists worked out from official figures: product–country openings, and the products that are easiest to start with. Both show their method — use them to shortlist, then read the guides.
- openings scored
- 948
- products ranked
- 53
Possibilities
Big buyers where India is still small
Each row is a product and a country. Ranked by the gap between what the country imports from the world and what it buys from India, weighted up where India’s sales there are already growing.
- 1Auto parts and components→United States of America
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 89.91 bn
- India’s share
- 2.3%
- Gap
- US$ 87.81 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↓ -5.4%
- 2Generic medicines (formulations)→United States of America
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 94.66 bn
- India’s share
- 12.9%
- Gap
- US$ 82.43 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↓ -13.6%
- 3Readymade garments→United States of America
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 83.71 bn
- India’s share
- 5.9%
- Gap
- US$ 78.78 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↓ -9.5%
- 4Auto parts and components→Germany
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 46.14 bn
- India’s share
- 1%
- Gap
- US$ 45.69 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +39.7%
- 5Readymade garments→Germany
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 45.11 bn
- India’s share
- 3.8%
- Gap
- US$ 43.41 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +9.3%
- 6Generic medicines (formulations)→Germany
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 33.83 bn
- India’s share
- 1.7%
- Gap
- US$ 33.25 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +8.9%
- 7Processed food→United States of America
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 44.33 bn
- India’s share
- 1.7%
- Gap
- US$ 43.58 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↓ -8.8%
- 8Readymade garments→France
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 25.52 bn
- India’s share
- 4.4%
- Gap
- US$ 24.41 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +4.8%
- 9Readymade garments→Japan
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 22.84 bn
- India’s share
- 1%
- Gap
- US$ 22.61 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +23.3%
- 10Processed food→Germany
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 21.48 bn
- India’s share
- 0.6%
- Gap
- US$ 21.35 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +18.4%
- 11Auto parts and components→China
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 21.10 bn
- India’s share
- 0.6%
- Gap
- US$ 20.99 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +20.3%
- 12Readymade garments→Italy
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 20.74 bn
- India’s share
- 1.6%
- Gap
- US$ 20.40 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +11.5%
- 13Readymade garments→United Kingdom
- Its imports (2023)
- US$ 20.29 bn
- India’s share
- 6.1%
- Gap
- US$ 19.04 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +4.7%
- 14Readymade garments→Spain
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 19.57 bn
- India’s share
- 3.5%
- Gap
- US$ 18.88 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +7.5%
- 15Toys→United States of America
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 18.91 bn
- India’s share
- 0.6%
- Gap
- US$ 18.78 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +40.4%
- 16Auto parts and components→Canada
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 18.58 bn
- India’s share
- 1.1%
- Gap
- US$ 18.38 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +18.2%
- 17Generic medicines (formulations)→France
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 18.00 bn
- India’s share
- 2.3%
- Gap
- US$ 17.58 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +7.8%
- 18Auto parts and components→France
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 17.33 bn
- India’s share
- 1.1%
- Gap
- US$ 17.14 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +8.9%
- 19Processed food→United Kingdom
- Its imports (2023)
- US$ 16.89 bn
- India’s share
- 1.2%
- Gap
- US$ 16.68 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +14.3%
- 20Generic medicines (formulations)→United Kingdom
- Its imports (2023)
- US$ 16.46 bn
- India’s share
- 5.5%
- Gap
- US$ 15.56 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +1.3%
- 21Generic medicines (formulations)→China
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 22.52 bn
- India’s share
- 0.6%
- Gap
- US$ 22.39 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- —
- 22Auto parts and components→Spain
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 14.13 bn
- India’s share
- 0.8%
- Gap
- US$ 14.02 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +4.7%
- 23Pumps→United States of America
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 13.44 bn
- India’s share
- 3.2%
- Gap
- US$ 13.01 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +4.9%
- 24Generic medicines (formulations)→Italy
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 18.83 bn
- India’s share
- 0.5%
- Gap
- US$ 18.73 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- —
- 25Processed food→Netherlands
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 12.20 bn
- India’s share
- 0.8%
- Gap
- US$ 12.10 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +11.9%
- 26Processed food→Canada
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 11.70 bn
- India’s share
- 1.3%
- Gap
- US$ 11.55 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +0.4%
- 27Fresh vegetables→United States of America
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 16.52 bn
- India’s share
- 0.7%
- Gap
- US$ 16.40 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↓ -8.6%
- 28Readymade garments→Netherlands
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 16.54 bn
- India’s share
- 2.7%
- Gap
- US$ 16.09 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↓ -2.5%
- 29Processed food→China
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 15.78 bn
- India’s share
- 0.2%
- Gap
- US$ 15.76 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- —
- 30Processed food→France
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 15.43 bn
- India’s share
- 0.5%
- Gap
- US$ 15.35 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↓ -0.5%
- 31Generic medicines (formulations)→Japan
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 15.24 bn
- India’s share
- 0.7%
- Gap
- US$ 15.12 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- —
- 32Generic medicines (formulations)→Netherlands
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 10.17 bn
- India’s share
- 3.2%
- Gap
- US$ 9.84 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +17.3%
- 33Generic medicines (formulations)→Canada
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 10.40 bn
- India’s share
- 5.5%
- Gap
- US$ 9.82 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +4.8%
- 34Generic medicines (formulations)→Spain
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 14.45 bn
- India’s share
- 1.1%
- Gap
- US$ 14.30 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- —
- 35Auto parts and components→Italy
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 9.48 bn
- India’s share
- 1.9%
- Gap
- US$ 9.30 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +31.9%
- 36Fresh vegetables→Germany
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 9.05 bn
- India’s share
- 0.5%
- Gap
- US$ 9.01 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +11%
- 37Coffee→United States of America
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 8.99 bn
- India’s share
- 0.2%
- Gap
- US$ 8.97 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +2.9%
- 38Auto parts and components→United Kingdom
- Its imports (2023)
- US$ 13.23 bn
- India’s share
- 1.3%
- Gap
- US$ 13.06 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↓ -0.3%
- 39Readymade garments→South Korea
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 12.37 bn
- India’s share
- 0.8%
- Gap
- US$ 12.26 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- —
- 40Sports goods→United States of America
- Its imports (2024)
- US$ 8.05 bn
- India’s share
- 0.5%
- Gap
- US$ 8.01 bn
- India’s sales, year on year
- ↑ +7.1%
Score = gap (US$ mn) × (India’s share under 20% ? 1 : 0.5) × (India’s sales there growing ? 1.2 : 0.8). Imports: UN Comtrade, each country’s latest reported year. India’s sales: TradeStat 2024-25 → 2025-26. UN Comtrade · TradeStat
Easier products
The easiest products to start with
Our own score out of 100 for a first-time exporter: free to export, few registrations and checks, keeps without a cold chain, and steady demand. It is a starting point, not advice.
| # | Product | Score | Policy /30 | Registrations /20 | Checks /15 | Shelf life /15 | Demand /20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auto parts and componentsEngineering goods | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 2 | Iron and steel castingsEngineering goods | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 3 | PumpsEngineering goods | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 4 | Plastic goods and packagingOther goods | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 5 | Sports goodsOther goods | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 6 | TeaProcessed food | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 7 | CoffeeProcessed food | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 8 | Cashew kernelsProcessed food | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 9 | Cotton yarnTextiles & apparel | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 10 | Brass and art metalwareHandicrafts | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 11 | GlasswareHandicrafts | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 12 | FootwearLeather & footwear | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 13 | Hand toolsEngineering goods | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 14 | Ceramic and vitrified tilesOther goods | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 15 | Paper and paperboard packagingOther goods | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 16 | Granite and natural stoneOther goods | 30 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 20 | |
| 17 | Millets (Shree Anna)Farm produce | 30 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 18 | Jaggery (gur)Processed food | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 19 | Processed foodProcessed food | 30 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 20 | Home textiles (bed, bath and kitchen linen)Textiles & apparel | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 21 | Handloom productsTextiles & apparel | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 22 | Handicrafts (cane, bamboo, jute and natural fibre)Handicrafts | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 23 | Incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoopHandicrafts | 30 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 10 | |
| 24 | Imitation (fashion) jewelleryJewellery | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 25 | Generic medicines (formulations)Pharma & chemicals | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 26 | ToysOther goods | 30 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 27 | SpicesFarm produce | 30 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 15 | |
| 28 | Readymade garmentsTextiles & apparel | 30 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 15 | |
| 29 | Carpets and rugsTextiles & apparel | 30 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 15 | |
| 30 | ChilliFarm produce | 30 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 31 | TurmericFarm produce | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 10 | |
| 32 | Cumin (jeera)Farm produce | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 10 | |
| 33 | Sesame seed (til)Farm produce | 30 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 34 | Guar gumFarm produce | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 10 | |
| 35 | Fresh bananaFarm produce | 30 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 20 | |
| 36 | Makhana (fox nut)Processed food | 30 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 5 | |
| 37 | Frozen shrimpMarine | 30 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 20 | |
| 38 | Leather goods (bags, wallets, belts)Leather & footwear | 18 | 15 | 3 | 15 | 15 | |
| 39 | Natural honeyProcessed food | 18 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 20 | |
| 40 | Essential oilsPharma & chemicals | 18 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 41 | Fresh vegetablesFarm produce | 30 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 20 | |
| 42 | Fresh grapesFarm produce | 30 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 20 | |
| 43 | Fresh pomegranateFarm produce | 30 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 20 | |
| 44 | Wooden handicraftsHandicrafts | 18 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 15 | |
| 45 | Groundnut (peanut)Farm produce | 18 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 15 | |
| 46 | Non-basmati riceFarm produce | 18 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 15 | |
| 47 | Fresh onionFarm produce | 30 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 15 | |
| 48 | Fresh mangoFarm produce | 30 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 15 | |
| 49 | Dairy productsProcessed food | 30 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 15 | |
| 50 | MushroomsProcessed food | 30 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 15 | |
| 51 | Ayurvedic and herbal productsPharma & chemicals | 18 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 10 | |
| 52 | Basmati riceFarm produce | 18 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 15 | |
| 53 | Organic productsFarm produce | 18 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 5 |
Policy: free 30, free with conditions 18, through a state body 8, restricted 0. Registrations: 20 − 5 per registration. Checks: 15 − 3 per check. Shelf life: 15 unless perishable or marine. Demand: 10 if India’s exports grew last year (else 5) + 10 if world imports exceed US$ 1 bn (5 if over US$ 200 mn).