Tasmania's export figures show the state government is failing to deliver results for business, Labor says.
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Labor Leader Rebecca White said Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed Tasmanian exports declined by 2.5 per cent in the year to January, compared to 11.7 per cent growth nationally.
She said it was a particular concern Tasmanian exports to India fell by 54 per cent compared to the previous year, to $53 million.
"As I have said previously, India offers huge potential as an export destination for Tasmanian products," Ms White said.
"Not only is the government failing to seize this opportunity, but exports to India are going backwards at an alarming rate.
"Embarking on expensive trade missions is one thing, delivering results for Tasmanian business is another."
The ABS original terms figures showed Tasmanian merchandise exports had a relatively strong January, taking the annual value of sales to $3.635 billion.
That was a strong result by historical standards, but some way below recent peaks and with the economic effects of coronavirus yet to wash into the numbers.
" ... the impact of coronavirus remains unknown and will need to be considered over the next few months," Ms White said.
"If the coronavirus has taught us one thing, it's that Tasmania should be careful about relying too heavily on trade with one particular export market."
She was referring to China, easily Tasmania's biggest export market.
China was the first country hit hard economically by coronavirus.
Trade Minister Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmanian exports had grown by more than 30 per cent since 2014 (the year the Liberal state government was first elected).
He said the government was focussed on opening up more markets for Tasmanian exports.
Mr Rockliff is expected to go on a two-week trade mission to the US later this month.
