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Mint
5 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Gujarat, UP, MP log strong export gains in FY25 amid headwinds: FIEO
Amid global trade turbulence, three of India's key industrial states—Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh—posted strong export performances in 2024-25, signalling a deepening resilience and diversification in the country's outbound trade, said a report. Gujarat retained its position as the country's top exporting state for the fifth straight year, with outbound shipments totalling ₹ 9.83 trillion, or 26.6% of India's overall exports, said the report released by the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) on Tuesday. While exports dipped slightly from the previous year, the report noted the state's continued dominance across a broad range of sectors, led by traditional strengths and new growth areas. The US, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates remained Gujarat's top markets, while newer sectors such as aerospace and shipbuilding registered triple-digit growth, signalling a strategic shift toward high-value, innovation-driven exports, it added. Uttar Pradesh climbed to the fifth spot among Indian exporting states, notching a record ₹ 1.86 trillion in overseas shipments. The growth, the FIEO noted, was both deep and wide, cutting across electronics, garments, handicrafts, and emerging sectors such as aerospace and silk. The report highlighted Gautam Buddha Nagar, home to electronics and software manufacturing clusters, as the state's export engine, contributing more than half of the total. Government initiatives like one district one product (ODOP) were credited for supporting both modern industrial hubs and traditional artisan economies. The US, UK, and Germany emerged as the state's leading export destinations. Madhya Pradesh, meanwhile, posted its highest-ever exports at ₹ 66,218 crore, rising to 11th place nationally, its best ranking to date. Pharmaceutical products, engineering goods, and agricultural exports, particularly soybean-based animal feed, powered the surge. Indore and Dhar emerged as key districts, supported by robust industrial ecosystems and expanding special economic zones. The report also flagged strong performances in rubber, starch, and textiles, indicating a broadening export portfolio. The US, Bangladesh, and France ranked among the state's largest markets. The current analysis by the FIEO covers Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, with a broader review of other major exporting states expected in the coming days. The FIEO said the gains by these states underscored India's evolving export geography, marked by a growing role for interior regions and a shift toward diversified, innovation-led trade growth. To be sure, India's merchandise trade deficit widened to $282.8 billion in 2024-25, as imports rose to $720.24 billion while exports held steady at $437.42 billion. In comparison, the trade gap stood at $241.14 billion in 2023-24, with exports at $437.07 billion and imports at $678.22 billion. The FIEO report, based on data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), ranks Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh among India's top exporting states in 2024-25. 'This distribution reflects not only the industrial strength of coastal and urban Gujarat but also the growing role of interior districts in value-added exports,' it said. 'The data underlines a positive trajectory where industrial diversification and decentralisation are helping Gujarat sustain its leadership in India's export landscape,' it added.
Mint
18-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
India's trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan slumps in May amid diplomatic strain
New Delhi: India's goods trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan declined sharply in May as diplomatic tensions likely spilled over into commercial ties following their public support for Pakistan during a four-day conflict with India earlier this year. India's exports to Turkey more than halved to $351.25 million in May from $741 million in April, while imports dropped to $184.71 million from $451 million, according to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics in the commerce ministry. Exports to Azerbaijan fell to $6.63 million from $14 million and imports inched up to $300,000 from zero. There have been growing calls in India to boycott Turkish goods, including products such as apples, and tourism. The Centre has reportedly reassessed its broader trade engagement with both countries in light of the geopolitical alignments. While the government has not officially linked the trade slump to political developments, the data suggests early signs of economic disengagement from nations perceived as unsupportive of India's strategic interests. India's key exports to Turkey include auto components, iron and steel, aluminium products, fabrics, engines and electrical machinery. On the import side, Turkey primarily supplies electrical machinery, petroleum products, gold, natural stones such as granite and fresh fruits. Imports of electrical machinery, petroleum products and gold from Turkey declined sharply in May from April, according to the data, suggesting a notable dip in procurement by government-backed entities, which traditionally account for a significant share of these imports. India's exports to Azerbaijan cover a broad spectrum, including tobacco, pharmaceutical formulations, Basmati rice, ceramics, granite and natural stones. Imports from Azerbaijan are limited to mainly leather goods and select drug formulations. India's goods trade surplus with Turkey fell to a near-decade low of $2.7 billion in FY25, continuing a three-year slide that has taken it back to pre-pandemic levels. In May, the surplus fell to $166.54 million from $290 million in April, driven by a sharp decline in exports. Trade with Azerbaijan has followed a different trajectory. Since FY23, the country has shifted from a trade deficit to a surplus with Azerbaijan, driven by a pullback in crude oil imports. Crude oil once accounted for over 94% of India's imports from Azerbaijan, even exceeding 99% in 2022 and 2024, underscoring a sharp reliance on a single commodity. A spokesperson of the commerce ministry didn't respond to emailed queries. Bilateral trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan could take a hit in FY26 as major Indian trade bodies and consumer groups call for a boycott of goods from both nations following their public support for Pakistan. The Confederation of All India Traders, representing over 90 million traders across 40,000 associations, had urged Indian businesses to suspend trade with Turkey. The backlash also extended to travel, with online platform MakeMyTrip reporting a sharp drop in flight bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan in May, alongside a huge surge in cancellations. The All-India Consumer Products Distributors Federation, representing 450,000 FMCG distributors, called for an indefinite and total boycott of Turkish consumer goods, while Indian e-commerce platforms pulled select Turkish brands from their clothing and fashion listings.
Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
India's oil imports from US surged over 270% in first four months of year
India's oil imports from the US jumped over 270 per cent year-on-year in the first four months of 2025, underscoring Delhi's strategy of enhancing American imports amid trade pact negotiations and diversifying its sources of crude oil in a volatile geopolitical and geo-economic environment. Negotiations between India and the US for an interim trade deal by July 9 have entered their final phase. According to the latest available data with the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), India imported 6.31 million tonnes of US crude in January-April, sharply up from 1.69 million tonnes in the year-ago period. With this, the US accounted for 7 per cent of India's oil imports for January-April 2025, significantly higher than 2 per cent in the corresponding four months of 2024. In value terms, India's US crude imports in the first four months of the current calendar year stood at $3.78 billion, a big jump from around $ 1 billion in the year-ago period. It is worth noting that not just volumes, but oil price fluctuations also play a crucial role in determining the value of imports. India is stepping up imports from the US across categories to address America's key concern of a widening goods trade deficit. Under the likely trade deal, India is also expected to open up its market to a range of American goods – from cars and defence equipment to agricultural products. Official data show that while India's overall imports in April rose by only 19 per cent, imports from the US jumped 63 per cent to $5.24 billion, up from $3.20 billion in April 2024. This rise in imports narrowed India's goods trade surplus with the US to $3.1 billion, down from $3.4 billion. Expanding energy trade with the US would, to an extent, allay Washington's concerns about the balance of trade between the two countries. Also, from a strategic and energy security perspective, stepping up purchases of American oil helps India with some leverage with other supplying nations, whose supply volumes may be dented as a result, according to sources. The aim there would be to nudge them to offer oil to India at even better prices in a bid to protect their market share. Additionally, given the tensions in West Asia, sourcing oil from regions that can completely bypass the region's shipping routes is strategically important for India, which depends on imports to meet over 88 per cent of crude oil requirement. High import dependency and growing energy consumption make the country an attractive market for oil and gas exporters. President Donald Trump has been eyeing increasing energy exports to India and in February, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US, the President said that India and the US had agreed to take steps towards making Washington 'a leading supplier of oil and gas to India', which could help bridge the trade deficit between the two countries. Trump said that the US will 'hopefully' be India's top oil and gas supplier. The jump in overall imports in April – potentially signalling a broader trend – was driven by a sharp 270 per cent year-on-year increase in oil imports to 3.56 million tonnes. In March, too, US oil imports surged 247 per cent year-on-year to 1.26 million tonnes. Overall, the share of US crude in India's oil imports rose from 4.6 per cent in April 2024 to 12 per cent this year. That's higher than the 4.7 per cent recorded just a month earlier in March. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More Aggam Walia is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, reporting on power, renewables, and mining. His work unpacks intricate ties between corporations, government, and policy, often relying on documents sourced via the RTI Act. Off the beat, he enjoys running through Delhi's parks and forests, walking to places, and cooking pasta. ... Read More
Hans India
29-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
India's Cranberry Craze: From Exotic Import to Everyday Superfruit
Bengaluru: Once regarded as a niche Western ingredient, cranberries have found a vibrant new identity in India's kitchens, wellness routines, and even social media feeds. From being an exotic health remedy tucked away on supermarket shelves to now headlining fusion biryanis, laddoos, and lassis, cranberries are swiftly becoming India's latest superfruit obsession. This growing fascination is supported by hard data. According to figures from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), India's cranberry imports have witnessed a striking rise of 52.28% over the past two financial years—climbing from 2080 metric tons in FY 2021–22 to 3166 metric tons in FY 2023–24. The surge in US-origin cranberries is even more impressive, with imports growing by 61.85% during the same period, marking the United States as a leading contributor to India's cranberry boom. Fueling this growth is a focused and strategic push by The Cranberry Institute, the body representing US cranberry growers worldwide. From trade collaborations and food festivals to influencer partnerships and chef-led innovations, the organisation has taken a dynamic approach to reposition cranberries as a daily-use, functional food ingredient rather than a once-in-a-while indulgence. 'India is a growth market for US Cranberries. We have seen tremendous demand for both dried cranberries and cranberry juice in India as more Indian consumers are discovering this amazing berry,' said Mr. Sumit Saran, In-Country Marketing Representative for The Cranberry Institute. 'Dried cranberries are not only being used as an anytime snack but also as an ingredient in various western and ethnic dishes. US cranberries are easily available both with retail dry fruit sellers and on e-commerce platforms,' he added. What began as a health-focused curiosity—primarily for urinary tract relief—has now evolved into a mainstream dietary shift. Thanks to mounting clinical evidence around their antioxidant content, gut-friendly fibre, and heart-supporting polyphenols, cranberries have emerged as a powerful dietary supplement suited to the fast-paced, health-conscious Indian lifestyle. The Indian Express rightly noted their transition from niche import to 'superfruit status.' But it isn't just the nutritional profile that's fueling their popularity. It's how seamlessly they adapt to Indian palates. The berry's sweet-tart complexity is showing up in everything from cranberry coconut laddoos to cranberry murabba. In South India, dried cranberries are being used as a creative substitute for tamarind in pulihora, adding a rich colour and a unique sour-sweet profile. In the north, they're bringing new flavour and texture to paneer tikkis. Even festive menus are giving traditional sweets a cranberry twist. The professional culinary world has taken note too. Celebrity chefs like Manish Mehrotra have been championing cranberry-based dishes such as Cranberry Bhel Puri, praising the fruit for delivering "tang, crunch, and colour" in a single bite. Across India, high-end restaurants and premium caterers are beginning to feature cranberries in creative fusion dishes, with cranberry tasting menus and limited-edition desserts making appearances at seasonal food events. Social media has played no small role in this transformation. The #CranberryLife has found its way into thousands of reels and posts across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Influencers are showcasing everything from cranberry cocktails to meal-prepped biryanis, while nutritionists are demystifying their benefits in easy-to-understand formats. This visual, community-driven appeal is helping cranberries carve a niche in India's evolving food identity. The shift is especially pronounced among millennial and Gen Z consumers, who are actively seeking out nutrient-dense, clean-label ingredients. In urban kitchens, dried cranberries now find their place alongside chia seeds and quinoa—sprinkled into smoothie bowls, protein oats, and trail mixes. As per data from Coherent Market Insights, the dried cranberry market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10–15% between 2025 and 2032, an indicator of the fruit's staying power beyond trend cycles. As summer temperatures soar, cranberries are also becoming a refreshing staple in Indian households. Recipes such as cranberry chutney, cranberry lassi, and cranberry-spiked salads are offering a cool, tangy reprieve while ticking all the boxes for health and taste. From nutritional value to culinary versatility and rising consumer awareness, cranberries are no longer a foreign novelty. Backed by strategic promotion from The Cranberry Institute and strong demand signals from Indian consumers, the berry has planted firm roots in the Indian foodscape. The cranberry isn't just a trend—it's a testament to how global ingredients can thrive when they speak the language of local taste and wellness.
