India's Handicraft Exports in 2026: Latest Figures, Top Markets and What Buyers Should Know
Updated: Oct 6
India's handicraft exports reach retailers, designers and gift brands in more than a hundred countries. Before you plan next season's sourcing, it helps to know how big the sector is, where the goods go and what is changing in trade policy. Here is a clear summary based on official and industry data.
How big are India's handicraft exports?
Figures below exclude hand-knotted carpets, which are reported separately.
FY 2023-24: ₹32,758.80 crore, according to EPCH
FY 2024-25: ₹33,122.79 crore, confirmed by the Press Information Bureau
FY 2025-26 (provisional): ₹33,424.18 crore or about USD 3.78 billion, as reported by IBEF citing EPCH
Rupee earnings grew slightly in FY 2025-26 while the dollar figure dipped, mainly because of currency movement. For context, EPCH records exports of just ₹386.57 crore in 1986-87, the year the council began its work.
Where do Indian handicrafts go?
In FY 2024-25 the largest buyers were:
United States: about 38.7% of exports
United Kingdom: 7.7%
United Arab Emirates: 7.7%
Germany: 5.4%
Netherlands: 5.1%
Source: IBEF. PIB rounds the US share to 37%.
Which products lead?
According to PIB, the top groups in FY 2024-25 were woodwares at ₹8,524 crore, art metalwares at ₹4,386 crore, embroidered and crocheted goods at ₹4,350 crore, handprinted textiles at ₹3,217 crore and imitation jewellery at ₹1,511 crore.
Woodware is the single largest product group, which matches what we see in buyer demand for serveware, trays, boxes and decor. Handprinted textiles, including Sanganeri hand block prints, remain a steady favourite with home textile brands.
The people behind the numbers
PIB estimates about 64.66 lakh handloom and handicraft artisans in India, and IBEF reports that women make up a majority of the artisan workforce. When you buy handmade from India, a large share of that value supports household and cluster-based work.
Trade policy: what changed in 2025 and 2026
United Kingdom: the India-UK trade agreement came into force on 15 July 2026, with most tariff lines duty free.
EFTA: India's agreement with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein has been in force since 1 October 2025.
European Union: negotiations were concluded on 27 January 2026. The agreement still needs signature and ratification before it applies.
United States: additional tariffs on Indian goods changed several times from August 2025. A framework deal announced in February 2026 (White House fact sheet) and a later US Supreme Court ruling on emergency tariffs changed the picture again. As of late September 2026 talks on a final deal were still ongoing. Check the current rate with your customs broker before you confirm an order.
We cover the agreements in detail in our guide to trade agreements for handicraft importers.
What this means for buyers
Demand is stable, so good workshops book up before peak seasons. Place sampling orders early.
New free trade agreements can lower landed cost into the UK, EFTA, UAE and Australia. Ask your supplier for a preferential certificate of origin.
Currency movement has made Indian goods competitive in dollar terms.
Looking for a reliable handicraft exporter from India? Explore our full product range and ask us for samples and a quote.
Figures checked on 30 September 2026. FY 2025-26 numbers are provisional.
Frequently asked questions
What was the value of India handicraft exports in FY 2024-25?
₹33,122.79 crore, excluding hand-knotted carpets, according to PIB, which is roughly USD 3.9 billion.
Which country buys the most Indian handicrafts?
The United States, with about 38.7% of exports in FY 2024-25, followed by the UK and the UAE.
Which Indian handicraft category is the largest?
Woodware, with exports of ₹8,524 crore in FY 2024-25.
Related reading
Kraft Bharat is one of the handicraft exporters in India supplying handmade products to retailers in the UK, US, Australia and UAE. Browse our catalogue or contact our export team.
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