Andhra Pradesh becomes export leader in NITI Aayog index
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as one of India’s strongest export-driven economies, ranking fifth nationwide in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024 released by NITI Aayog.
With a strong score of 60.65 out of 100, AP has been classified as a ‘leader’ among large states, reflecting its growing importance in the export landscape.
The top five performing states in the EPI 2024 were Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. The index, which evaluated states on four pillars – export infrastructure, business ecosystem, policy and governance, and export performance – placed Andhra Pradesh just behind Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
The assessment included 70 parameters and is linked to India’s larger ambition of achieving $1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030 under its Developed India 2047 vision. Officials attribute AP’s performance to its 974-km-long coastline, port-led logistics network, and diversified export basket. Seafood exports, especially frozen shrimp, remain the backbone, with Andhra Pradesh contributing nearly two-thirds of India’s shrimp exports.
Visakhapatnam Port remains a key hub, while aquaculture clusters in coastal districts like Nellore, Krishna, and East Godavari add to the state’s strengths. The pharmaceutical sector has emerged as another major pillar, with Visakhapatnam-based SEZs placing Andhra Pradesh among the top five pharma-exporting states. Rice, tobacco, sugar, pepper, motor vehicles, ferroalloys, and petroleum products are also part of a balanced export portfolio, supported by industrial clusters along the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor.
During 2023-24, Andhra Pradesh exported approximately ₹1.6 lakh crore, ranking it sixth in the country by export value, with a Gross State Domestic Product of ₹14.4 lakh crore. The government’s Industrial Policy 4.0 (2024-29) and export-focused reforms aim to double exports and create five lakh jobs, with a long-term target of ₹3.4 lakh crore in exports by 2029.
While challenges such as regional infrastructure gaps, skilling needs and climate risks remain, Andhra Pradesh’s strong policy, port-led development and sectoral diversification position it well to sustain export-led growth in the coming years, it said.
