Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai. India has exported approximately Rs 50,454 crore ($6.1 billion) worth of “Made in India” iPhones from April to September this fiscal year, marking a 33% increase compared to the same period last year. This shift highlights India’s growing importance as a manufacturing and export hub for Apple, with the nation fast becoming a key player in Apple’s global supply chain. The Indian government projects that by the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year, iPhone exports from India could reach Rs 84,086 crore ($10.1 billion). This surge is largely due to Apple’s strategic decision to reduce its reliance on China amidst ongoing U.S.-China tensions. To achieve this, Apple has been expanding its manufacturing network in India, where the company benefits from local subsidies, a skilled workforce, and India’s advancing technological capabilities.
iPhone assembly units in South India
Apple’s manufacturing in India is supported by three key suppliers: Foxconn Technology Group and Pegatron Corp from Taiwan, along with Tata Electronics from India. All three suppliers have set up iPhone assembly units in South India, with Foxconn being the largest local supplier for iPhones in the country, contributing about half of all iPhone exports from India. During the six-month period from April to September, Tata Electronics, a subsidiary of Tata Group, exported iPhones worth approximately $1.7 billion (Rs 14,292 crore) from its factory in Karnataka. Tata acquired this facility from Wistron Corp last year, becoming the first Indian assembler of Apple’s best-selling products.
India’s role in iPhone production grows
Apple first began manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017, starting with the iPhone SE, as part of its gradual diversification of production sites. Apple’s manufacturing network in India now includes three electronics manufacturing service (EMS) partners: Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron. As India’s role in iPhone production grows, Apple plans to further increase its investment in the country. This includes expanding production capacities, setting up more assembly lines, and possibly introducing production of other high-demand Apple products. Experts believe these moves reflect Apple’s long-term commitment to India, not only as a production hub but also as a crucial market for its products amid rising smartphone demand. This development also aligns with the Indian government’s goal to position the country as a leading electronics manufacturing hub.
