Exports of creative goods increased by 7.3% year-on-year to $12.5 billion in April-October of FY26 from $11.7 billion in the same period last year.
The basket includes crafts and design-based manufacturing items, books and publishing, music, performing and visual arts, software, video games, computer and web services, and cultural and natural heritage.
The United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) defines a creative goods as one that involves “the cycle of creation, production and distribution of a tangible product with creative content, economic and cultural value and a market objective”.
ET’s analysis shows that more than half of India’s creative goods shipments were destined for the UAE and the US. The UAE emerged as a faster-growing market, with its share rising to 31% in FY26 (April-October) from 23.2% a year ago. The US share, however, fell to 26.1% from 34% over the same period.
“A lot of front loading happened due to the US tariffs and there were Christmas orders which were shipped out which gave a bump up to the exports,” said Manu Gupta, chairman, Toy Association of India.
India has become the centre for outsourcing work such as game development and game support services, a key factor in the growth of this sector.Among developing economies, India was the third-largest exporter of creative goods in 2023, after China and Hong Kong, accounting for 3% of global creative goods exports.
Overall, India’s creative industry export growth was led by crafts and design goods manufacturing, which expanded 7.8% year-on-year in the first seven months of FY26. This segment includes products such as fashion accessories, jewellery, carpets, interior, and toys, with fashion accessories and jewellery continuing to dominate the export mix.
Trade watchers said that lab-grown diamonds gained particular traction in fashion jewellery segments as convenience and affordability continued to attract younger consumers who also seek ethical and sustainable options.
The US, Spain, the UK, the UAE and Netherlands are the major purchasers of fashion jewellery.
“With gold and silver prices at elevated levels, consumers gravitated toward inexpensive imitation jewellery crafted from low-cost metals and gems. The increasing costs of gold and other precious materials drove demand for affordable fashion alternatives,” said a representative of the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.