Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 17: Indian exporters are seeing stronger festive season demand across major overseas markets. Textiles and food products are leading the latest export momentum. The US has emerged as a strong market for Indian textiles. Europe is also reporting higher demand for Indian food products. Exporters expect the festive season to outperform last year.
Indian Exporters See Stronger Orders
Indian textile exporters report a 30-40% rise in US orders. Christmas and New Year demand is supporting the increase. The festive season has improved visibility across apparel and home textile orders. Indian exporters are also receiving stronger enquiries from international buyers. The trend is improving confidence across the export sector.
Textiles Gain From US Demand
The US remains critical for India’s textiles business. Exporters are seeing higher orders across garments and household textile products. Textiles and apparel exports rose 6.39% during August. Handicraft exports increased 29% during the same month.
Carpet exports also grew around 5%.
Yarn demand has strengthened among domestic manufacturers serving export markets. These manufacturers supply clothing, bedsheets, and related products overseas. Food Products Gain Across Europe Indian food products are also seeing stronger festive season demand. Europe has emerged as an important market for ready-to-eat foods. Exporters report nearly 20% growth in European festive orders.
Traditional Indian food products remain popular among overseas consumers. Kaju katli, laddoo, and halwa continue attracting strong demand. Bhujia, mixture, and murukku are also seeing higher orders. Rice, spices, ghee, and pickles remain major export categories.
GCC Adds Further Support
The Gulf remains another important market for Indian food products. Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain continue reporting healthy procurement. Kuwait is buying sweets, ghee, beverages, and spices. Oman is sourcing rice, masalas, pulses, and pickles. Bahrain continues importing traditional festive foods and savouries. This demand strengthens India’s wider festive season export performance.
Processed Food Exports Expand
Processed food products are becoming more important for Indian exporters. Ready-to-eat and cooked food exports reached $2.4 billion in FY26.That marked 16% growth over the previous financial year. The category stood at $2.1 billion earlier. Convenience foods are gaining traction across Europe and other markets. That trend supports long-term opportunities for Indian food exporters.
Logistics Risks Remain
The festive season outlook remains positive, but challenges persist. High freight rates continue to pressure exporter margins. Container shortages may delay shipments to the US and Europe. Food exporters also face customs and compliance hurdles. Perishable food products require stricter handling and faster delivery. Limited shelf life creates additional supply-chain risks.
Global Buyers Diversify Suppliers
International buyers are increasingly diversifying their supplier networks. That could create fresh opportunities for Indian exporters. The shift is especially relevant for textiles and food products. However, price competitiveness will remain important. Quality and delivery reliability will also influence buyer decisions. Indian exporters must balance strong demand with disciplined execution.
Festive Season Strengthens Export Outlook
The festive season is providing a timely boost to Indian exporters. Textiles are gaining from stronger US holiday demand. Food products are seeing higher orders across Europe. GCC markets are also supporting traditional Indian food exports. If logistics remain stable, export growth could strengthen further. The current order cycle signals a more buoyant festive season.
