Comparative Advantage of India in Agricultural Exports vis-a-vis Asia: A Post-reforms Analysis

Abstract

Recent developments in the international trade scenario and corresponding alterations in India’s foreign trade policies have depicted far reaching implications for India’s agricultural sector in general and agricultural exports in particular. The present study has ascertained the changes in comparative advantage status of India’s major agricultural exports vis-a-vis other Asian players during the post-reforms period (1991-2004). It has been found that in exports of certain commodities like cashew and oil meals, India has been able to maintain its comparative advantage, but several others like tea, coffee, spices, marine products, etc. have been negatively affected. India has been found losing out its comparative advantage in export of some of the agricultural commodities to other Asian competitors during the period after economic reforms.