New Delhi [India], September 9 (ANI): In a major boost to India’s seafood industry, the European Union (EU) has approved 102 additional marine establishments for exports, providing an immediate 20 percent surge in India’s seafood exports to the bloc, government officials confirmed on Tuesday.
India’s seafood exports to the EU stood at USD 1.1 billion in FY24, making the region a critical market for the domestic fishing sector. With this approval, the total number of Indian establishments cleared for exports to the EU has risen to 604. The announcement coincides with the 13th round of India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, underscoring the growing confidence between the two partners.
A Commerce Ministry official told ANI that the approval “shows EU confidence in our standards” and reflects “significant improvements in compliance and quality.” Officials further noted that this decision is not just a facilitation measure but an “important confidence-building step” for bilateral trade.
The approval comes at a crucial time for India’s shrimp sector, which has been heavily impacted by recent US tariff measures. Expanded access to the EU market is expected to provide much-needed relief and diversification opportunities for exporters. With all major seafood establishments now cleared for EU exports, Indian exporters will have expanded capacity to meet European demand across a wide range of marine products.
The EU remains India’s second-largest seafood export destination after the United States, followed by China, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand. Officials believe the approval will not only strengthen India’s trade position but also “smooth the path” for ongoing FTA negotiations by addressing non-tariff barriers.
The clearance of 102 facilities marks one of the largest single additions to India’s EU-approved seafood establishments, potentially reshaping the scale and trajectory of bilateral seafood trade. (ANI)
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