Best Indian States to Start an Export Business (2025 Ranking)

Export Boom India: The Opportunity in 2025.

The Indian export market is also heading to a golden era in 2025. It is now easier than ever before, with Indian exporters having access to global markets through digital trade reforms and global supply chain diversification.

But the success of your exports is key to the point at which you begin.

Indian states have special benefits each, industrial agglomeration, port access, logistics, and government subsidies.

We have ranked the top Indian states in which to open an export enterprise in 2025, in terms of infrastructure, product variety, policy assistance and ease of doing business.

The most export-friendly states in India (2025 edition): Top 6.

1. Maharashtra -Export Powerhouse in India.

Why It’s the Best:

The largest export hub in India in terms of values is Maharashtra, which is the home of Mumbai Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva), and a number of industrial zones.

Major Export Clusters:

• Mumbai & Navi Mumbai -Electronics, chemicals and pharma.
• Pune- cars and engineering products.
• Nashik Agro and processed foods.

Key Exports:

• Automobiles and spare parts
• Petrochemicals and chemicals.
• Clothing and textile industry.
• Electronics and machinery

Government Support:

• Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) offers plug and play export units.
• Export Promotion Bureau helps in matching and compliance of buyers.
• Monetary incentives of exporters of MSME.

Pro Tip:

When exporting goods of high value or time constrained goods, the port and air network of Maharashtra will provide an excellent logistics advantage.

2. Hojat- The Gate to World Trade.

Why Gujarat Excels:

Gujarat manages nearly 35 percent of the overall cargo traffic of India with more than 40 large and small ports. It is also known to have an easy doing business and investor friendly policies.

Key Export Ports:

• Mundra Port (the largest Indian port on the private basis)
• Kandla Port (government port of great size)

Top Exports:

• Petrochemicals and plastics.
• Gems and jewelry
• Producing products and ceramics.
• Textiles and handicrafts

Advantages:

• SEZs and industrial corridors on a state-wide basis.
• Stable policy environment
• Good road accessibility to hinterland states.

Support Programs:

Gujarat Industrial Policy 2020 gives subsidies on export infrastructure.

Special Export Facilitation Cell at GIDC.

Pro Tip:

The logistics and SEZ incentives are the most affordable in Gujarat in case you are engaged in manufacturing or heavy industry.

3. Tamil Nadu -The Southern Export Engine.

Why It Shines:

India has always been one of the leading three states in exportations due to industrial diversification, skilled labour and port structure.

Key Ports:

• Chennai Port
• Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar Port)

Top Exports:

• Textiles and garments
• Leather goods and footwear
• Cars and automobile parts.
• Electronics and IT hardware

Infrastructure Strengths:

• Textile industries in Tirupur and Erode.
• Vellore and Ambur leather and footwear centers.
• Good logistics in Chennai SEZs.

Government Support:

Export Promotion and Investor facilitation Cell (EPIFC).

Funds to attend international trade fairs.

Pro Tip:

Tamil Nadu is ideal in providing the location that offers both low cost and access to the global market to MSMEs and manufacturers who produce products in the textiles, engineering and footwear sectors.

4. Karnataka - Innovation Meets Export Excellence.

Why It’s Rising Fast:

Karnataka, the IT and bio-tech capital of India, is currently expanding in the areas of electronics, pharma and engineering exports.

Key Export Areas:

• In Bangalore, there are IT services and electronics.
• Mysore- Agro based products, handicraft and silk.
• Mangalore Port- Sea food and chemical exports.

Top Exports:

• IT-enabled software and services.
• Engineering goods
• Biotech and pharmaceuticals.
• Agro and silk products

Government Focus:

• The Karnataka Export Policy 2023-28 is meant to intent on doubling exports.
• Specialized Export Promotion Center of startups and MSMEs.
• Export-linked R&D support and support of digital trade.

Pro Tip:

When you are an exporter who is tech focused or deal with knowledge based products or services, then Karnataka provides good innovation ecosystem and connectivity is excellent.

5. West Bengal -Eastern Trading Gateway.

Why It’s Strategic:

West Bengal has the Kolkata and Haldia ports, which link India to Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Bangladesh, thus being essential in the region export.

Top Exports:

• Tea and jute products
• Food products and agro products.
• Electronics and machinery
• Leather and footwear
• Infrastructure Highlights:
• WBIDC industrial parks.
• Entry into Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan markets.
• Establishing education centers in the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.

Government Initiatives:

• MSME exporter scheme, Banglashree Scheme.
• Tea and jute industry branding at the international level.

Pro Tip:

When you are targeting Asian markets (ASEAN, Bangladesh, or China), the minimum cost of logistics and excellent cultural trade connection is in West Bengal.

6. Andhra Pradesh - The New Export Phenomenon.

Why It’s the New Hotspot:

Andhra Pradesh is fast emerging as the second big export base of India with Krishnapatnam, Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports.

Top Exports:

• Marine products (shrimp, fish)
• Rice and spices
• Drugs and bulk pharmaceuticals.
• Raw materials and construction products.
• Infrastructure & Incentives:
• Depo-industrial parks and coastal Economic Zones.
• Agri and seafood exporter cold storage chain.
• AP Industrial Development Policy 2023 which is offering tax rebates and subsidies on logistics.

Pro Tip:

Andhra Pradesh has cheap coastal connectivity and government expectancy in case of agro, seafood or FMCG exports.

How to Select the Right State to sell your business.

In choosing the location where you want to export your business, you should take into account the following 5 factors:

Product Type:

Light & high-value → Maharashtra, Karnataka.

Bulk and agro based - Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.

Port Access:

• Global trade: Western coast (Mumbai, Mundra).
• Asian markets Asiatic coast (Vizag, Chennai)
• Ease of Doing Business:
• Gujarat and Tamil nadu are always at the top.
• Cost of Land & Labor:
• Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are cheaper.
• Industry Ecosystem:
• Select a state where your business industry already is concentrated (e.g. textiles in Tirupur, jewelry in Surat).

Comparative Table: Top Export States at a Glance (2025)

State                              Key Exports Major Ports             Key Advantage

• Maharashtra Automobiles, chemicals, textiles Mumbai, Nhava Sheva Best logistics & connectivity
• Gujarat Petrochemicals, jewelry, engineering Mundra, Kandla Most SEZs & investor-friendly
• Tamil Nadu Textiles, leather, autos Chennai, Tuticorin Skilled workforce & clusters
• Karnataka IT, biotech, engineering Mangaluru, Bengaluru Innovation & digital focus
• West Bengal Tea, jute, food, leather Kolkata, Haldia Access to East Asian markets
• Andhra Pradesh Seafood, rice, pharma Vizag, Krishnapatnam Agro exports & fast-                                                                                                                    growing ports

 2025 Trends in Indian Geography in Export.

• Digital Port Digital Port Operations: ICEGATE and DGFT are implementing AI to speed up the process of clearing customs.
• Green Logistics: States are going green with packaging and electric freight trucks.
• Agro Export Corridors: Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are also coming up with special corridors of food export.
• Skill Export Hubs: Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are opening training centers to the MSME exporters.

Final Thoughts

The choice of the state in which to export your business can determine the success of your business in the long-term.

Established exporters in 2025 will still prefer Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.

Nonetheless, in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the emerging stars of exports are the tech-based and agro based exports respectively.

Whatever you may begin with, center yourself on:

• Preparation of export documents that are compliance ready.
• Digital trade tools (DGFT, ICEGATE, FIEO) are used.
• Establishing a powerful online presence with confirmed product listings.

With the right foundation, your export business can grow from a single state to serving the entire world.

To get started or expand your export business with expert guidance, visit www.vskglobaltrade.co.in

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Published by VSK Global Trade – Empowering Indian Exporters for Global Success