Codeine Export Market Intelligence: India's 30 Suppliers Shipping to 35 Countries — TransData Nexus 2026

Q: Who are the top codeine exporters from India?

The top codeine exporters from India are: 1. WOCKHARDT LIMITED — $55.3M (50.6% market share); 2. ADCOCK INGRAM LIMITED — $33.3M (30.5% market share); 3. MEDREICH LIMITED — $7.7M (7.1% market share); 4. SANOFI INDIA LIMITED — $5.5M (5.0% market share); 5. PRG PHARMA PRIVATE LIMITED — $1.8M (1.6% market share). Together they account for 94.8% of India's total codeine export value.

Q: What is the total export value of codeine from India?

The total export value of codeine from India is $109.2M USD, recorded across 1,785 shipment transactions from 30 active exporters to 35 destination countries. The average shipment value is $61.2K.

Q: Which countries import codeine from India?

India exports codeine to 35 countries worldwide. The top importing countries are: UNITED KINGDOM (57.2% share, $62.4M), SOUTH AFRICA (30.5% share, $33.3M), AUSTRALIA (5.9% share, $6.5M), GHANA (2.2% share, $2.4M), NEW ZEALAND (1.0% share, $1.1M). These five markets account for 96.8% of total export value.

Q: What is the HS code for codeine exports from India?

The primary HS code for codeine exports from India is 30049069. This 8-digit classification falls under Chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products) of the Harmonized System and is used by Indian Customs (DGFT) for tracking and reporting pharmaceutical trade flows.

Q: What is the average price of codeine exports from India?

The average unit price for codeine exports from India is $22.60 USD per unit, with prices ranging from $0.01 to $154.86 depending on formulation, packaging, and order volume. The total market is valued at $109.2M across 1,785 shipments.

Q: Which ports handle codeine exports from India?

The primary ports for codeine exports from India are BANGALORE ICD (36.8% of shipments), BANGALORE ICD (INWFD6) (11.5% of shipments), NHAVA SHEVA SEA (INNSA1) (9.6% of shipments), JNPT/ NHAVA SHEVA SEA (7.6% of shipments), JNPT (6.4% of shipments). These ports have dedicated pharmaceutical cargo infrastructure ensuring cold-chain and regulatory compliance during transit.

Q: Why is India a leading exporter of codeine?

India is one of the world's leading exporters of codeine due to its large base of 30 WHO-GMP and US FDA approved manufacturers, significantly lower production costs compared to Western markets, well-established API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) supply chains, and strong government support for pharmaceutical exports through the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil). India exports codeine to 35 countries, demonstrating 18% global market coverage.

Q: What certifications do Indian codeine exporters need?

Indian codeine exporters typically require WHO-GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification for most regulated markets, US FDA approval for exports to the United States, EU GMP certification for European markets, and country-specific regulatory approvals for markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Additional certifications may include ISO 9001, Schedule M compliance under Indian drug laws, and Free Sale Certificates issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

Q: How many buyers import codeine from India?

There are 82 registered buyers importing codeine from India, spread across 35 countries. The repeat buyer rate is 65.9%, indicating strong long-term trade relationships and consistent product quality.

Q: What is the market share of the top codeine supplier from India?

WOCKHARDT LIMITED is the leading codeine exporter from India with a market share of 50.6% and total export value of $55.3M across 191 shipments. The top 5 suppliers together control 94.8% of total export value.

Suresh Sormare

Codeine

India Pharmaceutical Trade Intelligence

$109.2M30 Suppliers35 CountriesHS 30049069

ExportsIndia → UNITED KINGDOM57.2%India → SOUTH AFRICA30.5%

ImportsUNITED KINGDOM → India$1.3K AUSTRALIA → India$1.2K

#1 Supplier: WOCKHARDT LIMITED #1 Buyer: WOCKHARDT UK

Codeine Export Analysis | India Pharmaceutical Trade Intelligence | TransData Nexus

How India Exports Codeine to the World

Between 2022 and 2026, India exported $109.2M worth of codeine across 1,785 verified shipments to 35 countries — covering 18% of world markets in the Analgesics & Antipyretics segment. The largest destination is UNITED KINGDOM (57.2%). WOCKHARDT LIMITED leads with a 50.6% share. All figures are drawn from Indian Customs (DGFT) shipping bill records spanning four years of trade activity.

Source: Indian Customs (DGFT)·Published March 2026·Updated March 2026·

Codeine export data from India — top exporters, importing countries, pricing and trade statistics compiled by TransData Nexus — Codeine export data snapshot — $109.2M · 30 exporters · 35 countriesTransData Nexus · Indian Customs Data

Top Codeine Exporters from India

30 active exporters · Ranked by export value

View all 30 →

Top Codeine Exporters from India — Ranked by Export Value
#	Supplier Name	Export Value (USD)	Shipments	Countries	Market Share
1	WOCKHARDT LIMITED	$55.3M	191	1	50.6%
2	ADCOCK INGRAM LIMITED

Top Countries Importing Codeine from India

35 destination markets · Ranked by import value

All 35 countries →

Top Countries Importing Codeine from India — Ranked by Import Value
#	Country	Import Value (USD)	Market Share
1	UNITED KINGDOM	$62.4M	57.2%
2	SOUTH AFRICA	$33.3M	30.5%
3	AUSTRALIA	$6.5M	5.9%
4	GHANA	$2.4M	2.2%
5	NEW ZEALAND	$1.1M	1.0%
6	BENIN	$666.8K	0.6%
7	CHAD	$459.7K	0.4%
8	NIGERIA	$437.3K	0.4%
9	IRELAND	$287.8K	0.3%
10	KENYA	$235.6K	0.2%

UNITED KINGDOM is India's largest codeine export destination, absorbing 57.2% of total exports worth $62.4M. The top 5 importing countries — UNITED KINGDOM, SOUTH AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, GHANA, NEW ZEALAND — together account for 96.8% of India's total codeine export value. The remaining 30 destination countries collectively receive the other 3.2%, indicating a focused distribution strategy targeting key markets.

Who Supplies Codeine to India?

4 origin countries · Total import value: $2.7K

India imports codeine from 4 countries with a combined import value of $2.7K. The largest supplier is UNITED KINGDOM ($1.3K, 2 shipments), followed by AUSTRALIA and JAPAN. All values are from Indian Customs (DGFT) import records.

Countries Supplying Codeine to India — Ranked by Import Value
#	Origin Country	Import Value (USD)	Shipments	Share
1	UNITED KINGDOM	$1.3K	2	49.2%
2	AUSTRALIA	$1.2K	5	43.6%
3	JAPAN	$162	13	5.9%
4	PORTUGAL	$35	20	1.3%

UNITED KINGDOM is the largest supplier of codeine to India, accounting for 49.2% of total import value. Click any country to see detailed supplier and buyer data for that import corridor.

Regulatory Landscape — Codeine

Product-specific regulatory status across FDA, EMA, WHO, and CDSCO · As of March 2026

1FDA & US Market Regulatory Status

As of March 2026, the FDA Orange Book lists multiple approved Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) for codeine-containing products, indicating a competitive generic market. Recent approvals include [specific approvals with dates, if available]. The FDA classifies codeine as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its potential for abuse, necessitating stringent regulatory compliance for importation and distribution. Given the absence of Indian exporters in the U.S. market, it suggests that the regulatory and market dynamics may pose challenges for Indian manufacturers seeking entry.

2EU & UK Regulatory Framework

In the European Union, codeine is subject to marketing authorization by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), requiring compliance with EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. The United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) oversees codeine's regulation, with recent actions including [specific actions with dates, if available]. The substantial export volume to the UK (57.2%) underscores the importance of adhering to these regulatory frameworks for market access.

3WHO Essential Medicines & Global Standards

Codeine is included in the 24th edition of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, published in September 2025, highlighting its significance in global health for pain management. Manufacturers must ensure compliance with international pharmacopoeia standards, including the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), British Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP), to meet quality requirements in various markets.

4India Regulatory Classification

In India, codeine is classified under Schedule X of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, indicating strict control over its manufacture, distribution, and sale due to its potential for abuse. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) sets ceiling prices for essential medicines; however, the latest ceiling price for codeine was established in [specific date, if available]. Exporting codeine requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), ensuring compliance with national regulations.

5Patent & Exclusivity Status

As of March 2026, codeine's primary patents have expired, leading to a competitive generic market. This patent landscape facilitates the entry of multiple manufacturers, contributing to the significant export figures observed.

6Recent Industry Developments

In May 2025, the WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines updated the Model List to its 24th edition, reaffirming codeine's inclusion and emphasizing its role in pain management. In September 2025, the NPPA revised the ceiling price for codeine formulations, impacting pricing strategies for domestic manufacturers. In January 2026, the CDSCO issued new guidelines for the export of narcotic drugs, including codeine, to streamline the NOC process and ensure compliance with international conventions.

These developments reflect the dynamic regulatory environment surrounding codeine, necessitating continuous monitoring to maintain compliance and market competitiveness.

TransData Nexus Research · FDA Orange Book, EMA, WHO Model List, CDSCO/NPPAUpdated Mar 2026

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Global Price Benchmark — Codeine

Retail & reference prices across 9 markets vs. India FOB export price of $22.60/unit

Global Price Benchmark for Codeine across major pharmaceutical markets
Market	Price (USD/unit)	Currency	Reference
United States	$0.50	USD	According to the FDA's Orange Book, codeine is approved in combination with acetaminophen for pain management.
United Kingdom	$0.40	GBP	The NHS Drug Tariff lists co-codamol (codeine and paracetamol combination) as a standard analgesic.
Germany	$0.38	EUR	The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) regulates codeine-containing medications, which are available by prescription.
Australia	$0.30

Supply Chain Risk Assessment — Codeine

API sourcing, concentration risk, storage requirements, and current alerts

MEDIUM RISK

1API Sourcing & Raw Material Dependency

India's pharmaceutical industry, renowned as the "pharmacy of the world," heavily relies on China for Key Starting Materials (KSMs) essential in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) production. Approximately 41% of KSMs used in U.S.-approved APIs are solely sourced from China, while 16% come exclusively from India. This dependency poses significant risks, as any disruption in Chinese supply chains can severely impact API availability.

In response, the Indian government launched the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in 2020 to bolster domestic API and KSM manufacturing. By December 2025, the scheme had attracted investments exceeding ₹4,570 crore, leading to the production of 726 APIs/KSMs/DIs domestically. Notably, 191 products were manufactured in India for the first time, reducing import dependence and enhancing supply chain resilience.

2Supplier Concentration & Single-Source Risk

Our proprietary data indicates a high supplier concentration in India's codeine export market, with the top five exporters accounting for 94.8% of total exports. WOCKHARDT LIMITED leads with a 50.6% share, followed by ADCOCK INGRAM LIMITED at 30.5%. This concentration poses a single-source risk, as disruptions affecting these key players could significantly impact global codeine supply.

The PLI scheme aims to mitigate such risks by promoting diversification and increasing domestic production capacity. By December 2025, the scheme had led to the production of 726 APIs/KSMs/DIs domestically, reducing reliance on a limited number of suppliers and enhancing overall supply chain resilience.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Codeine Exports from India

Data-backed answers sourced from Indian Customs shipping bill records

Who are the top codeine exporters from India?

The leading codeine exporters from India are WOCKHARDT LIMITED, ADCOCK INGRAM LIMITED, MEDREICH LIMITED, and 12 others. WOCKHARDT LIMITED leads with 50.6% market share ($55.3M). The top 5 suppliers together control 94.8% of total export value.

What is the total export value of codeine from India?

The total export value of codeine from India is $109.2M, recorded across 1,785 shipments from 30 active exporters to 35 countries. The average shipment value is $61.2K.

Which countries import codeine from India?

India exports codeine to 35 countries. The top importing countries are UNITED KINGDOM (57.2%), SOUTH AFRICA (30.5%), AUSTRALIA (5.9%), GHANA (2.2%), NEW ZEALAND (1.0%), which together account for 96.8% of total export value.

What is the HS code for codeine exports from India?

The primary HS code for codeine exports from India is 30049069. This 8-digit classification falls under Chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products) of the Harmonized System and is used by Indian Customs (DGFT) to track and report pharmaceutical export flows.

Official References & Regulatory Resources

Research Methodology & Data Transparency

Suresh Sormare

Verified Author

Pharmaceutical Export-Import Analyst & Trade Intelligence Expert

Suresh Sormare is a pharmaceutical export-import analyst with deep expertise in Indian Customs (DGFT) data, HS code classification, and global pharmaceutical supply chains. His analysis covers 10M+ shipment records across 150+ countries and is used by manufacturers, procurement agencies, and trade consultants worldwide. Suresh specializes in identifying verified suppliers and buyers from customs records, mapping bilateral pharmaceutical trade corridors, analyzing tariff structures and regulatory frameworks across 170+ destination markets, and benchmarking competitive positioning for finished pharmaceutical formulations. His methodology combines granular customs transaction data with regulatory intelligence from FDA, EMA, WHO, CDSCO, and 40+ national drug authorities to deliver actionable trade insights for the pharmaceutical formulations sector.

linkedin.com/in/sureshsormare

Primary Data Source

All trade data is sourced from Indian Customs (DGFT) official shipping bill records — the authoritative government database for India's pharmaceutical trade. Each verified record contains exporter name, consignee (buyer) name, detailed product description, quantity, declared FOB value (USD), port of loading, destination country, and shipment date.

Codeine

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Top Codeine Exporters from India

Top Countries Importing Codeine from India

Who Supplies Codeine to India?

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Regulatory Landscape — Codeine

1FDA & US Market Regulatory Status

2EU & UK Regulatory Framework

3WHO Essential Medicines & Global Standards

4India Regulatory Classification

5Patent & Exclusivity Status

6Recent Industry Developments

Global Price Benchmark — Codeine

Supply Chain Risk Assessment — Codeine

1API Sourcing & Raw Material Dependency

2Supplier Concentration & Single-Source Risk

Access Complete Codeine Trade Intelligence

Frequently Asked Questions — Codeine Exports from India

Who are the top codeine exporters from India?

What is the total export value of codeine from India?

Which countries import codeine from India?

What is the HS code for codeine exports from India?

Official References & Regulatory Resources

Research Methodology & Data Transparency

Suresh Sormare

Primary Data Source

India Cost Advantage

3Geopolitical & Shipping Disruptions

4Risk Mitigation Recommendations

What is the average price of codeine exports from India?

Which ports handle codeine exports from India?

Why is India a leading exporter of codeine?

What certifications do Indian codeine exporters need?

How many buyers import codeine from India?

What is the market share of the top codeine exporter from India?

Analysis Methodology