China leads surge as India’s exports to BRICS nations rise 34% in April-August

India’s exports to China, South Africa, Brazil and Russia rose 34 per cent to $19.9 billion in the first five months of 2026-27, driven by a sharp increase in shipments to China, Commerce Ministry data showed.

Exports to the four founding BRICS members stood at $14.9 billion during April-August 2025-26. Their share in India’s total exports increased from 8.1 per cent in the corresponding period last year to 9.2 per cent this year.

China was the largest market among the four, with Indian exports rising 39 per cent to $9.6 billion.

South Africa recorded the fastest growth, with shipments increasing 58 per cent. Exports to Brazil and Russia rose 13 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively.

“As India deepens its engagement with the BRICS bloc, the strongest momentum is coming from the founding partners, especially China, South Africa, Brazil and Russia,” a government official said.

Exports to the four countries grew nearly three times faster than shipments to the wider BRICS grouping during the five-month period.

BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, while Indonesia joined in 2025.

Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam are partner countries of the grouping.

EXPORTS TO JAPAN, ITALY AND SOUTH KOREA RISE

India also recorded strong export growth in Japan, Italy and South Korea during April-August.

Exports to Japan increased 43 per cent to $3.43 billion, led by mineral fuels, electronics and aluminium. Mineral fuel exports rose by $231.7 million, or 76 per cent, during the period.

Shipments to Italy grew nearly 30 per cent to $3.92 billion from $3.02 billion during April-August last year.

Exports to South Korea rose 22 per cent to $3.21 billion, led by mineral fuels, electronics, aluminium, iron and steel, and chemicals.

The figures showed that India’s export growth during the five-month period was spread across BRICS economies as well as major markets in East Asia and Europe.

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