Product diversity takes AP to 5th spot in export value

Andhra Pradeshexported goods worth 85,000 crore in the first seven months of this fiscal (April to October), compared to 67,000 crore in the corresponding period last year.

The states exports stood at 1.04 lakh crore in 2019-20 and 1.24 lakh crore in 2020-21. Going by the current scenario, the state may exceed the previous numbers in 2021-22.

Andhra Pradesh contributed to about 5.8% of the total exports of the country in 2020-21. The state occupies fifth place in the country in terms of the value of exported goods. Gujarat, Maharashtra, NaduandKarnatakatake the first four places.

East Godavari topped all the districts with about 31,000 crore worth exports in 2020-21, closely followed by Visakhapatnam (29,000 crore). West Godavari, Guntur and Chittoor also emerged as the key drivers by contributing to about 8,500 crore exports each.Kurnoolaccounted for only some 46 crore exports, the lowest among all the districts.

From organic and inorganic chemicals and marine products in Visakhapatnam district, rice and marine products in East Godavari to cars in Anantapur, granite inPrakasam, tobacco in Guntur, and medicines in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh is exporting about 2,100 products to nearly 190 countries.

The diverse product portfolio has helped the state pip several major states. For instance, omeprazole and lansoprazole drugs worth 111 crore were exported from Srikakulam in 2020-21. Anantapur exported cars/car engines worth more than 3,000 crore, while Kadapa was exporting barite.

Andhra Pradesh was also a major exporter of fish and shrimp in India with a share of 42% in total value of seafood exports of the country during 2020-21. The Suvarnarekha mango variety was exported to South Korea and Germany for the first time last year.

However, according to the Niti Aayogs latest report on export preparedness, Andhra Pradesh leaves room for major improvements. Andhra Pradesh might have an enabling business Infrastructure, but the state does not have a proper export ecosystem in place.