Import export business opportunities for Indians
A lot of people from India and Asia are considering starting their own import-export business. But what are some of the greatest import export business opportunities now? What kinds of goods are exported from India? What is great import export in India and Asia now?
It is really important to know those.
Because the success of the export business depends highly on choosing the right product category what to deal with.
The fact is there are a lot of import export business opportunities for Indians now. The import-export business can be very lucrative and this type of business is one of the best starting points for the new entrepreneurs from India or Asia generally.
Some of the following export import business opportunities even allow starting an export import business from home!
This article explains what are the greatest import export business opportunities for Indians nowadays in the import-export business.
Before we go deep into the import-export business opportunities. It’s important to understand one very important fact.
This fact creates new opportunities for you and this fact also indicates, that right now its best time for getting started in the import-export business, maybe best time ever!
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This game-changing fact is – China export to Europe is decreasing. It is because of the rising costs of the China companies. China is now focusing on producing and exporting more high-valued products, so the cheap commodities export to the EU is slowly decreasing.
In China now is time to focus on more high-end products because cheap production is not so competitive in China anymore, China is simply growing out from this stage.
NB! Starting and running a business successfully, is a process, including steps. We have created in-depth guide+ resources for new exporters/importers, agents. This guide will help you during your way!
What great import export business opportunity this represents for Indians?
The fact is, the European Union still need: basic raw materials, consumer products, chemicals, agro products and all other low-cost products. China has been exporting those products to EU for many decades. Now as China is exporting this kind of products less and less to EU, now this represents a HUGE export opportunity for Indian entrepreneurs!
Now it’s your time to start exporting those products what China has been exporting to EU many decades! India can supply the same products like China, but much lower cost now. Because Indian labour costs and production costs are many times lower compared China.
Europe is world biggest importer, makes about 33% of the world total imports. 2/3 of the EU imports is raw materials and easy products – All this India can supply to the EU.
So, now this is really the right time for Indians and also for other fastly developing Asian nations for getting started in import-export business with Europe.
What are the actual import export business opportunities for Indians now?
The EU is India’s number one trading partner (13.5% of India’s overall trade with the world in 2015-16), well ahead of China (10.8%), USA (9.3%), UAE (7.7%) and Saudi Arabia (4.3%). This fact referred to EU commission trade statistics.
So, India is a great exporting country, means there are plenty of export opportunities from India to Europe and other developed countries..
Below we will look some of the best import export business opportunities for Indians.
Firstly We are looking at some of the best export opportunities (products) what entrepreneurs from India can export to the European Union. Also, the pie-chart below will give you the basic overview of export from Indian to EU.
On the second part of the articles we will look, what are best import business opportunities for Indians.
Best export business opportunities for Indians
1. Organic Chemicals
India is rich in minerals and natural resources and that is just one reason why India is a big producer of different types of chemicals, mostly organic chemicals like Acids. Europe is the big importer and consumer of different types of organic chemicals.
The European Union itself is not a big producer of organic Chemicals because of the strict environmental norms. Secondly, the EU is a too expensive place for producing easy and base chemicals. The European Union is importing cheap organic chemicals and process them further. So, there is a big demand for organic chemicals in EU, historically the main supplier has been China.
Now India can also export this kind of products to the European Union. This is a great export opportunity for Indians.
2. Garment and textile
This category represents one of the biggest and best export business opportunities for Indians now, because the demand for those products is massive.
Garment and textile products have been exported to the European Union many decades from China and other Asian countries. Most of the easy textile and garment industries have been left Europe. Textile and garment industry needs a lot of human work and European labour cost is far too high for this. It’s economically wise to import those products to the European Union than produce.
Now China exports of garment and textile are also decreasing, because of the raised costs. Now India and other low-costed Asian countries can replace that export. It’s even possible to do outsourcing for the European branded clothes companies which can offer you very lucrative business opportunities.
3. Clothes and footwear
Next stage from the raw garment and textile is to produce the clothes and footwear from them. This also very labour intensive work and need cheap labour cost and cheap energy. India can produce clothes and footwear based on the European client demands and requirements. Currently, many western clothing brands are outsourcing their production to India, this is a great export opportunity for Indian companies.
4. Fruits
India has varied climate, in some areas fruits are growing very well. Bananas, Kiwis, coconuts, pineapples, citrus are growing well and also because of the low labour costs, those fruits are very cheap. India and as well other Asian nations can export those products to the USA and the European Union, the demand is huge!
Most of the European Union countries don’t have enough sun for the tropical fruits, only the south European Countries, like Spain has. But South European Countries has also high labour costs which make growing the fruits expensive. This is a great export business opportunity for Indians. Growing the fruits and creation of the plantation doesn’t need very high capital, so it’s very well suited for people from Asia and India.
But fruits and food products has some export risks. Food can easily get damaged during the export shipping, so prepare well for this.
If exporting food and livestock our from the country, then you really need to know very well, how do you export your goods, what are actual procedures and documents. We also suggest to read about export import procedures and documentation
5.Tea and coffee
India is famous for the Indian Black tea and also for the coffee. Indian climate is especially suitable for growing this kind of plants. India has naturally a lot of sun and enough rain which will make growing the tea and coffee very lucrative exporting business in India. There is a very big demand for coffee by the central and Northern European countries. Also, Germany, USA, Canada and even China has high demand for the coffee.
Scandinavian countries are famous for the high consumption of coffee per person.Coffe can also exporter well to the USA. For Tea consumption, the UK is a good destination.
So, tea and coffee are good import export business opportunities for Indians and also for people in Arabica and Southeast Asia.
6. Rice
India is historically famous for the production of the rice. The European Union doesn’t have a suitable climate for growing the rice. But EU is consuming a lot of rice, so this product can be exported to the European Union Easily. The European Union is importing different types of rice, like brown rice, long rice, India can grow all those types of rice and export to the European Union.
Biggest profit can be made if you are going to pack the rice into the suitable packages ( 1kg boxes). Rice is being sold in the European supermarkets in small and handy packages, differently than in India.
7. Spices and herbs
India is well known for its spices around the world. In fact, already the first exporters and importers in the 15 century where exporting Indian spices to the current European territory. India’s climate is favorable for the spices, There aren’t good climate in any European country for producing this type or products.
Nowadays Indian spices have their places in the European kitchen and restaurants. Also, many spices are being used to produce different sauces and condiments.
Very often Indian spices are being used in premium restaurants and inexpensive foods. Indian spices has a premium price in the European Union, which makes this very lucrative export business for Indians.
Different Indian herbs have also the export potential to Europe. Herbs are expensive and are mainly used by European Pharmacy companies, health-care companies. Also, a lot of the herbs are being used in tea industries
8. Mustard and mustard oil
India is one of the biggest producers of mustard seeds. The biggest producers are Indian neighbor countries like Nepal and also Myanmar. Mustard needs also special climate and Indian Climate is similar to Nepal has. India has the big potential of expanding its mustard production and processing it to the mustard oil. Mustard oil is in the big demand in Eu and USA for various purposes. So, this product also presents good export business opportunities in India and its neighbor countries.
9. Peanuts and nuts
Indian peanut the “Nakar” is famous in Europe and all around the world. India is also the producer of peanut oil and this oil has also potential in the EU and in other Asian countries. Roasted and salted Indian peanuts are good for export to the western markets and you are able to get a higher price, compare with the price what you can get on the local market. Salted and packaged peanuts can be also sold in online stores if packaged nicely, so it is attractive for the people overseas.
Selling your products online is one of the easiest ways to start an export business from Home. Exporting your products to overseas trough getting customers online, with your e-shop. This is really one of the greatest export opportunities in India now. It is also affordable because it allows starting your export business with minimal costs and investment
10. Vegetables
Some vegetables can be exported to Europea union market. It is still hard to export Indian food to Europe, but there are still some vegetables what have “green light” in Europe. The following vegetables can be exported to the European market with low restrictions: taro, bitter gourd, snake gourd, and eggplant.
If you are considering exporting vegetable from in India, then you should be considering exporting more to other countries near to India
11. Gems, precious metals – One of the greatest import export business opportunities
This is Indias one of the biggest exports. India is rich of precious metals and gems. big amount of the precious jewelry is made using Indian gems. This is a very lucrative business. India’s jewelry, gems, and precious metals need to be exported to the wealthy European countries and to the other wealthy markets like Hongkong, Singapore, China, and USA, Canada.
Also, at the same time, India is also a great importer of Diamonds. India imports Rough diamonds in large quantities from USA. Indian companies process diamonds and re-export, some back to USA and also to other markets.
Germs can be also exported, as selling those online. with small and precious gems It is again possible to start export-import business from home.
However, dealing with precious metals and gems in big volume, need a bigger amount of capital.
12. Metal
India is also great exporter or Iron and steel. India has low-cost energy what is required for producing the steel from the ore. Pipes from Iron and steel are in high demand by EU. Also, metal plates, steel coils, metal beams – all those has export potential.
Doing a metal export is a volume business, so exporters need to have the big amount of capital required for this business.
13. Heavy machines and equipment- represents highly profitable import export business opportunities
One step further from the raw metal production is the production of the heavy machines and equipment. This also one of the greatest import export business opportunities for Indians now. China has been the greatest exporter of the heavy machines and equipment to the European Union, but now, because of the tightening environmental rules and rising costs in China, then China is exporting less and less such products.
Indian has very big potential in this category of products and can replace Chinese decreasing export.
India can produce metal-work machines, ships, heavy machines, big engines and motors, turbines, boilers etc. India has all necessary for producing this kind of products with low cost.
Currently, a lot of western and European companies are turning their eyes to India instead of China, for sourcing and importing such products.
14. Spare parts for machines, equipment
If you are Indian and you have a factory of producing spare parts for machines and vehicles, then you are in great position for producing spare parts for European and American companies. European companies who are producing machines need some easy spare parts and details what can be produced in India. Your lesson is to find such a companies.
Secondly, there is very big demand for car spare parts, India can produce those as well and export to the European resellers.
15. Oil products and plastics
India has oil reserves and has big scale oil industry. India itself needs oil products and oil-based liquids because of the big population and also because India has lot of vehicles with combustion engines. Still there exist an opportunity to export oil products such as base oils to the European Oil industries which are in need of base oil to produce high-tech lubricants.
Oil and plastic industries are based on the same natural resource and therefore there is also an opportunity for Indians to export plastic products to the European countries. European Union needs all kinds of plastics from PET to the PE.
16. Cables
For producing cables, you need oil to produce specific isolation materials and you also need metal. India is in a good position for producing cables all kinds of. Producing cables is usually very energy intensive and this also produces toxic exhaust gases and wastes, that’s why in EU this production is very expensive. India has not so strict rules for this and can produce cables with low costs.
17. Furniture
Furniture category represents two kinds of import export business opportunities for Indians. First, then original Indian style furniture.
European People like design their interior different and exciting, lot of people are buying Chinese and also Indian style furniture. There are a lot of companies in the European Union what are all specializing to this kind of furniture. This is a great opportunity for Indian furniture producers, your furniture can be exported to the European Union. Also, Indian furniture is special in Europe and that’s why it has premium price there.
Secondly, many European companies are outsourcing their furniture production to the cheaper countries. This presents an opportunity to produce the furniture based on the European importer needs. European importer may send u the instructions and plans, so you can let the furniture produced based on those.
18. Paper
India has enough raw materials for producing quality paper and paper products. Paper production needs lot of energy and is harmful to the environment and that’s why in EU this kind production is not very attractive. China has been great paper exporter for a long time, now India and other Asian countries can also take their “bite”.
19. IT and Software- A huge service export business opportunity
If you are Software engineer, then you will find this export business opportunity interesting.
Europe is in great need of software and IT systems. In Europe however, the salaries for software engineers are already too high and there are lack of enough qualified software engineers.
From here comes great service export business opportunity. One option is to find IT work in Europe and the second option is to export IT services to European Companies.
Indian software engineer salary is low compared with Europe. It is great opportunity to produce software in India, using Indian people and sell it to European companies.
20. Indian paintings and arts as great export import opportunity
Indian Art, including paintings, ornaments, decoratives are special products for Europeans. In Europe, those products have high value, as some wealthy people want to use exotic arts to decorate their homes.
Currently, Indias exports of paintings and arts are still low it is only 1% of the world. Paints export and import statistics.total.
21. Stone Slabs – One of the traditional export opportunities in India
India is rich in granite, marble and therefore India can supply those precious natural stones to the whole world. Indians are also manufacturing quartz stone ( engineered stone). Different stone slabs present great exporting opportunities.
Stone slabs are being exported to UK, North Europe, and the USA. Western countries cut stone slabs into smaller size pieces and manufacture counter tops and other stone-made furniture parts and are using those in interior design.
Conclusion about export business opportunities
The previous list is not completed of course, but this will let you know some of the best export business opportunities you have if you are from India or from some other Asian country.
Just remember, India can export all kinds of products that require a lot of labour and energy and natural resources.
Basically, India can export the products what the ASEAN countries are exporting, below is one great chart showing what ASEAN countries are exporting to the European Union.
It’s important to understand, that the EU imports from ASEAN are growing, this is clear indicator that there also exists the big potential for Indians. It is important to take the action at the right time. Probably now is the best time for Indians and ASEAN nations to start exporting your products to the European Union.
After you choose your favorite import export business opportunity, then it is time to start looking, buyers and suppliers for your exports,
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Now, let us look what are best import business opportunities for Indians.
Best import business opportunities for Indians
As the indian economy is growing fastly, then also Indian middle class is growing. More and more Indians are able to afford more expensive foreign products. Also, because of the rising purchase power, the Indian real-estate market is growing. Growing real-estate creates a big demand for various commodities and goods that need to be imported. Wood is common building material and that’s why wood is now very hot product what to import into India,’.
1. Wood – one of the greatest import business opportunities for Indians.
Because Indians building sector and real estate sector is booming, then this will great lots of export import business opportunities. One is wood imports. most of the Indian wood is not very well suited for building and furniture production. Traditionally best type of trees for building and for inside decorations are growing in countries with a colder climate. Trees in cold climate have a harder structure which makes those trees more suitable for the building sector.
North America and North and Eastern Europe, include Russia are great resources for Timber and lumber like Spruce, Pine, Birch, Aspen, and Oak. Now importing wood from Europe to India and Asia general is a great way to make big money.
In the wood sector, the best way is to start as an export-import agent.
2. European food products – include different import export business opportunities for Indians.
In India as well as in China, the food safety is a serious problem. Especially milk products, dairy and baby food. Because middle-class in India is growing, then demand for quality imported food and beverage are increasing as well.
Yogurts, Milk powders for babies, baby instant food, Cheese products has very high quality in Europe. In China, those are already good products for importing for a while. Now, this category also presents great import export business opportunities For Indians. European food products have a premium price in India.
But before entering into this business, you should be aware of all safety standards related to importing food products into India.
3. European Alcoholic drinks – include different import export business opportunities for Indians.
Similarly to the previous, demand for importer alcoholic drinks also depends on the size of the middle class. European Vines from South Europe, German beer, ciders, cognac and other types of drinks can present lucrative import business opportunity for Indians now.
Usually, alcoholic drinks have higher import duties and restrictions, so if you want to enter into this business, you need to make sure all the rules first.
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4. Luxury brands – include different import export business opportunities for Indians.
Who hasn’t heard about the Gucci, Armani, Dolce and Gabbana and other luxury European brands? Those premium and luxury brands can be sold by a high-profit margin. Buyers are upper-middle class. In China, these kinds of products present very lucrative business.
In China, buying and using expensive western brand means you are belonging to the high social class. This is a sign of status in China.
Now there are occurring similar import business opportunity in India as well.
But in this category, lots of frauds and counter-freit products exist. If import custom detects, that you are importing counter-freit product, then you may lose your products. Counter freit product is cheap analog or imitation, what is an illegal product.
5. High Technology products – include different import export business opportunities for Indians
As Economy and industries are developing then there is increasing demand for high technology. High technology is necessary to improve energy efficiency, productivity, lower pollutions etc.
High tech machines, equipment, devices, vehicles, plants and complex systems all these products can be imported into India because India itself doesn’t have so highly developed technology jet.
European high-tech engineering leader-country is Germany. German engineering and high tech products are top in the world. Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi are just a few examples of the level of technology in Germany.
Now different kinds of technology related to environmental services, energy production, food processing, transportation, infrastructures can be imported into India. End users of such products are Big scale Indian production companies and factories.
Here we are talking about millions to hundreds of millions of euros per one project. Potential profits are high. European multinational tech companies like Andritz AG, Valmet, are building power plants and factories in India and in other developing countries.
Actual import business opportunities in this category
- Small processing units
- Wastewater treatment equipment
- Bioenergy plants and equipment
- energy efficient machines for factories.
- Low emissions vehicles.
Importing high valued machines and equipment can be a very lucrative business. Lean, how we make 100,000 USD trough importing from China. We imported also an expensive plant.
But to make business in this field, you need big money, connections and you need to be qualified to be successful in this field, so this is not for Everyone. But there is space also for small players.
Hope this article gives you a nice overview of the import export business opportunities out there now for you.
Also, read about 20 best import-export business ideas.
Previous where some of the greatest import export business opportunities for Indians and other developing nations nows. We hope, everyone finds something that resonates with you.
Your next steps, for getting started in export import business
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