Trade, Exports and District Export Hubs
Main export items
| Product | Figure |
|---|---|
| Handicrafts | Rs 733.59 crore (2024-25): carpets, woollen shawls, papier-mâché |
| Almond and walnut | Rs 602.53 crore (2024-25) |
| Saffron | 17.82 tonnes, Rs 486.43 crore (2024-25) |
| Fruit outside J&K | 8.70 lakh tonnes, Rs 3,809.97 crore (2025-26 up to November) |
| Basmati and honey | Exported |
Trade structure
- J&K sells fruit, dry fruit and crafts and buys food grains, consumer goods, vehicles and fuel.
- Apple competition from imports (US tariffs ended in September 2023) and transport cost are major worries.
- Rail and highway links are changing the cost of sending goods.
District Export Hub (DEH) scheme
- The Centre's "District as Export Hub" scheme selects export products by district and prepares District Export Action Plans. For J&K, 50 DEH products (plus 21 ODOP products) are notified across 20 districts (Economic Survey).
- Examples: Anantnag: cricket bats, walnut, Mushkbudji rice, trout, honey. Baramulla: apples, carpets. Pulwama: saffron and apple products. Srinagar: walnut wood carving, silk carpets, papier-mâché, pashmina, chain stitch, copperware. Ganderbal: wicker willow. Budgam: Kani and Sozni. Kulgam: apples, walnuts, honey, dairy. Ladakh: pashmina, woollens, apricot.
- J&K Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) is the nodal agency.
Cross-LoC trade
- Cross-LoC trade between the two sides began in October 2008 (Uri-Muzaffarabad, Poonch-Rawalakot) and was suspended in April 2019.
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from the J&K Economic Survey 2025-26, J&K Budget 2026-27, PRS Legislative Research, NITI Aayog and replies in Parliament and the Legislative Assembly. Figures are advance estimates or latest available and official replies sometimes differ, so check the latest Economic Survey and Budget before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.