Exports – India’s Gem and Jewellery Shipments Register Strong Recovery in June Demand
Exports –India’s gem and jewellery export sector posted a notable recovery in June, recording a sharp rise in overseas shipments as international demand improved and lower gold prices helped exporters remain competitive. According to data released by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) on Wednesday, the country’s gross exports reached USD 2.21 billion during the month, marking a 26.51 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. The performance reflects renewed buying interest from major international markets after a challenging trading environment in recent months.
Strong Overseas Demand Drives Export Growth
The export council attributed the June recovery to stronger orders across several key product segments, including gold jewellery, cut and polished diamonds, platinum jewellery, and lab-grown diamonds. Buyers from important global destinations increased purchases as declining gold prices reduced production costs and enabled Indian manufacturers to offer more attractive prices.
GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali said the latest figures demonstrate the industry’s ability to adapt to changing global market conditions. He noted that although exports during the April-June quarter remained largely unchanged compared with the previous year, the strong June performance provides confidence that the sector is moving in a positive direction.
Lower Gold Prices Improve Competitiveness
The council said international gold prices fell by 10.28 per cent on a month-on-month basis during June. This decline eased the cost of raw materials for manufacturers and exporters, allowing Indian companies to improve their pricing in overseas markets.
Apart from favourable pricing, Indian exporters also benefited from increased participation in international jewellery exhibitions held in Kuwait and Sharjah. These trade events helped businesses strengthen relationships with overseas buyers and expand their presence in important export destinations.
At the same time, GJEPC pointed out that exporters continue to face a challenge regarding the availability of gold. The council said a technical regulatory issue linked to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on imports made through RBI-notified nominated agencies remains unresolved and continues to affect the industry’s supply chain.
Gold Jewellery Leads Performance
Gold jewellery emerged as the biggest contributor to June’s export growth. Shipments in this category climbed 54.50 per cent year-on-year to reach USD 1.09 billion. Exports of studded gold jewellery recorded an even stronger performance, registering an impressive increase of 85.35 per cent.
Other major categories also reported positive growth. Cut and polished diamond exports rose by 8.71 per cent, while platinum jewellery exports increased by 34.77 per cent. Polished lab-grown diamond exports also maintained strong momentum, recording a 52.25 per cent jump during the month.
However, not every segment experienced growth. Exports of silver jewellery and coloured gemstones declined in June, indicating that demand remained uneven across different product categories.
Quarterly Performance Remains Stable
For the April-June quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, India’s overall gross gem and jewellery exports stood at USD 6.61 billion. This represented a marginal growth of 0.04 per cent in US dollar terms compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year. In rupee terms, exports registered a stronger increase of 10.76 per cent.
The export council said the quarterly figures underline the resilience of India’s gem and jewellery industry despite ongoing global economic uncertainty and elevated precious metal prices during much of the period.
Industry officials believe continued demand from established international markets, efforts to diversify export destinations, and recently concluded trade agreements, including the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), could create additional opportunities for exporters in the coming months. With improving market conditions and competitive pricing, the sector is expected to remain focused on sustaining its export momentum through the remainder of the financial year.