From Indiatimes · Sidhartha · · 3m
India's West Asia Exports Drop 7% as Jordan and Oman Buck Trend
India's exports to West Asia fell 7.2% in H1 2026, but Jordan and Oman saw double-digit growth due to unique market shifts.
In brief
India's exports to West Asia fell 7.2% in H1 2026, but Jordan and Oman saw double-digit growth due to unique market shifts. India's exports to West Asia dropped 7.2% in the first half of 2026, with Jordan and Oman experiencing significant growth due to specific market dynamics. Originally reported by Indiatimes.
Export Trend Shift
India's exports to West Asia fell 7.2% during the first half of the current financial year, with Oman and Jordan bucking the trend.
Oman's Export Surge
Oman's exports from India jumped 45% to $3.2 billion during April-September 2026, driven by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Jordan's Export Boom
Jordan's exports from India soared 240% to $1.2 billion during April-September 2.026, with a spike in buffalo meat, oil products and pharma exports.
Key Product Shifts
Jewellery, oil products and mobile phones saw a dip in exports to Gulf nations, while ships and boats and basmati rice are top gainers.
Petrol and Diesel Decline
Shipments of petrol and diesel to GCC and other West Asian countries fell 27% to $3.5 billion, latest available data showed.
Gold and Jewellery Drop
Gold and other jewellery exports to the Gulf trading bloc dropped 8.6% to $3.2 billion, latest available data showed.
Jordan's Product Growth
Petrol and diesel nearly trebled from $110.3 million to $327.3 million, while rice, mostly basmati, shot up from $47.6 million to $253.5 million.
Buffalo Meat Surge
Buffalo meat exports rose from $48.8 million to $192.4 million, with medicine exports jumping from $13.5 million to $39.7 million.
Jordan's Role in Trade
Jordan may increasingly serve as a dual role for Indian exporters - a growing destination market and a potential gateway to other markets in West Asia and North Africa.
Fuel Supply to Jordan
India supplies approximately 9,000 barrels a day to Jordan, though Saudi Arabia remains the dominant source of fuel.
Trade Body Insight
Trade body Fieo noted that Jordan's rising fuel demand has strengthened India's position as a supplier, despite Saudi Arabia's dominance.
Oman's Free Trade Boost
Oman's free trade agreement implementation boosted Indian exports, particularly ships and boats, processed minerals, some chemicals, basmati rice and iron and steel.
Strait of Hormuz Impact
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted traffic, with Oman's port acting as a gateway to the UAE.
Trade Think Tank Analysis
Trade think tank GTRI reported that four product groups added $592.7 million, accounting for 85% of the total increase in Indian exports to Jordan.
Future Trade Outlook
Jordan's role as a dual market and gateway is expected to grow, with regional distribution and re-export activity contributing to export surges.
The headline
India's exports to West Asia dropped 7.2% in the first half of 2026, with Jordan and Oman experiencing significant growth due to specific market dynamics.
