NEW DELHI — India's export landscape in fiscal year 2025-26 showcased a remarkable diversity, extending far beyond the expected dominance of smartphones and petroleum products. Official trade data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry reveals that while traditional goods formed the backbone of the nation's $441.75 billion in merchandise exports, an eclectic mix of niche products also found significant global markets, surprising many.
Human Hair: A Billion-Dollar Industry
Among the most striking revelations is the substantial value of human hair exports. India shipped over $948 million worth of human hair products in FY22, a figure that includes both raw and processed hair, as well as related items like wigs and hairnets. Dressed or worked human hair accounted for $651.72 million, while unworked hair contributed an additional $286.99 million. Much of this hair originates from temple offerings across the country before being processed into extensions for markets in the US, Europe, and Africa. Exports of unworked human hair alone saw a robust 45.03% increase during the year.
Pharmaceuticals and Therapeutic Surprises
India's pharmaceutical exports also featured some unconventional items. The country exported $5.72 million worth of snake venom in FY22, a 22.39% rise from the previous year. This venom is primarily utilized for research and the production of life-saving antivenom. Human blood exports reached $4.82 million, and another category, "other substances prepared for therapeutic or prophylactic use, of human origin," saw a dramatic increase from $24.31 million to $191.83 million. Even artificial teeth found buyers, contributing $11.70 million, despite a slight decline in exports.
Leisure, Devotional, and Unique Goods
The export basket further diversified into leisure and devotional products. Playing cards generated $18.05 million, a 27.47% increase, while chess sets brought in $3.99 million and carrom boards added $3.09 million. Exports of water park amusements also surged by 78.02% to $2.75 million.
Devotional items proved to be significant earners, with agarbatti (incense sticks) and similar burning preparations totalling $151.16 million. Attars (perfumes in oil base) earned $7.90 million, sandalwood oil contributed $2.16 million, and frankincense (olibanum) generated $1.12 million, rising by 44.18%. Saffron stamen exports saw an impressive 477.39% climb to $0.52 million.
From Jellyfish to Braille Typewriters: The Niche Market
Even products generating modest figures highlighted the depth of India's trade. Items like dried or salted jellyfish ($3.90 million), buffalo horns ($2.13 million), and snails ($1.30 million) found international markets. More specialized exports included Braille typewriters ($1.56 million), globes ($4.97 million), and even swords, cutlasses, bayonets, and lances, which collectively brought in $8.81 million. These niche items, though individually small, collectively represent a vibrant ecosystem of specialized businesses.
Dominant Exports Still Lead the Way
Despite the fascinating array of unusual exports, the overall trade figures for FY26 were still heavily influenced by a few major categories. Smartphones remained India's largest export at $29.36 billion, accounting for 6.65% of total merchandise exports. Automotive diesel followed at $19.52 billion, with cut and worked diamonds, medicines, and motor gasoline completing the top five. Together, these five categories represented 18.44% of India's total merchandise exports, underscoring their critical role in the country's global trade balance.
The data underscores a dual narrative: while a handful of key products drive India's trade volume, the sheer breadth of its export basket, encompassing thousands of categories from the conventional to the truly unexpected, reveals a dynamic and increasingly diversified economy.