New Delhi [India], April 11 (ANI): India’s marine product exports have more than doubled over the past 11 years, rising from Rs 30,213 crore in 2013–14 to Rs 62,408 crore in 2024–25. Exporters have been urged to work toward achieving a Rs 1 lakh crore export target and adopt an open-market approach.
Speaking at the Seafood Exporters Meet 2026, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh commended exporters for their role in driving growth. He noted that India’s seafood exports have remained resilient despite global uncertainties, largely supported by strong performance in non-US markets.
The event was organized by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying to facilitate interaction between the government and industry stakeholders. Discussions focused on challenges related to market access, pricing pressures, and compliance requirements, as well as strategies for enhancing value addition, market diversification, and marine export expansion from islands, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the high seas.
The minister emphasized the need for sustained diversification of both markets and products, along with strict regulatory compliance, including adherence to antibiotic bans and improved traceability systems. Referring to EEZ rules, he said the framework is being operationalized through access passes, with priority given to cooperative societies to promote inclusive growth.
He also highlighted the export potential of high-value species such as tuna from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and stressed the importance of improved onboard handling, robust cold-chain infrastructure, better packaging, and increased value addition to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen the export ecosystem.
Exporters were encouraged to work toward the Rs 1 lakh crore target with support from institutions such as the Export Inspection Council (EIC), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Minority Affairs George Kurian noted that efforts are being made to position fisheries as a high-value, high-demand sector. He emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance, strengthened logistics, and value-chain development to sustain export growth.
Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi said a focused market diversification strategy has been developed in coordination with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), EIC, and the Department of Commerce. He added that the department will facilitate direct linkages between exporters and Indian missions abroad to promote seafood exports.
Stakeholders at the meeting highlighted several challenges, including limited market access due to tariff and non-tariff barriers, high compliance costs, gaps in value-added processing capacity, cold-chain and logistics constraints, and the need for stronger traceability and quality assurance systems.
They also called for streamlining procedures for issuing catch certificates, facilitating permits for seaweed cultivation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and providing targeted support for fish-meal manufacturers to enhance production quality.
India’s seafood exports have grown at an average annual rate of 7 percent over the past 11 years, with shrimp exports contributing Rs 43,334 crore in 2024–25.
The country exports more than 350 varieties of seafood products to nearly 130 global markets. The United States remains the largest destination, accounting for 36.42 percent of total export value, followed by China, the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East.
To reduce dependence on a limited number of commodities and expand its global footprint, the government is actively promoting diversification of the export basket. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), initiatives are being implemented across the value chain, including quality fish seed production, expansion of aquaculture, promotion of export-oriented species, adoption of new technologies, disease management, traceability systems, and capacity building.
Investments are also being made to strengthen post-harvest infrastructure, cold-chain networks, modern fishing harbors, and fish landing centers to support sustained growth in the sector. (ANI)
About The Author
