The article presents the concept of «export potential», its role in the system of economic international relations. The author examined the definitions of the concepts «export» and «potential», «export potential», and examined the theoretical aspects, functions and essence of export potential. The author notes that potential can be considered as a set of available resources and means of production and management, which subsequently form, produce and develop a product, work or service to achieve a specific goal, taking into account the existing potential opportunities realized when the external and/or internal environment of the enterprise changes. Among the approaches to the study of the concept of «export», the author distinguishes narrow and broad approaches; the narrow approach is interpreted by certain internal factors that ensure the development of a particular industry, that is, microeconomic criteria. The author shows the broad approach as a level that has been achieved or can be achieved in the international market — by macroeconomic criteria. Export potential is a special direction of development of state policy, which, in turn, serves as an indicator of the development of the state’s economy, its competitiveness and global significance. It is noted that export potential is one of the conditions for the development of competition in international trade, which indicates its clear priority in state economic policy. A potential approach to the development of export potential is proposed as an opportunity to increase export potential when the internal/external environment of an economic entity changes. This study reflects a comparative approach to the concept and essence of export potential based on the potential approach, also using theoretical studies by publicist authors who reflected the essence and comparisons of the concept of export potential.