Kerala Emerges as a Strong Contender in Exports, Climbs to 11th Rank

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is steadily emerging as a major player in the country’s export sector, climbing from 19th to 11th place in the latest NITI Aayog rankings, P Rajeev announced on his official Facebook page.

The improvement comes after evaluating multiple parameters, including export diversification, human resource capacity, and the MSME ecosystem. Kerala has made notable advances in sectors such as petroleum products, food items, boats and ships manufactured locally, essential oils, and children’s textiles. The coffee sector has also shown a resurgence.

The state’s top export destinations include Singapore, the UAE, and the United States. Supporting these activities are 19 ports, both large and small, five cargo terminals, and other logistical channels.

NITI Aayog’s report also highlights the state government’s policy and administrative support, which has played a crucial role in boosting exports. Specialised departments for commerce and a dedicated export policy have further strengthened Kerala’s export framework.

Officials express optimism that with sustained efforts, Kerala could break into the top ten in next year’s rankings.