Frozen shrimp is the largest exported marine product, contributing over 40 per cent of the total quantity and 66.12 per cent of the total export value

India's Seafood Exports Show Strong Growth Amidst Global Economic Headwinds

INDIA
Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

April Figures Reveal 17.8% Increase in Value; FY25 Sees 60% Volume Jump to 1.685 Million Metric Tons, Driven by Shrimp and Government Initiatives.

New Delhi - India's seafood exports have demonstrated significant resilience, recording a robust growth of 17.81 per cent in April this year, reaching $0.58 billion. This performance underscores India's crucial position as the fourth largest producer of marine products in the international market, according to data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

The country's seafood exports reached 1,685,000 metric tons in the financial year ending March 31, 2025, marking an impressive increase of over 60 per cent compared to previous years. In terms of value, exports surged to $7.2 billion from $5.4 billion in FY15.

This positive momentum has continued into the 2025-26 fiscal year, despite concerns surrounding potential tariff hikes announced by the United States, which remains the largest single market for Indian seafood exports. Simultaneously, India and the US are reportedly nearing the conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement aimed at fostering increased trade flows between the two nations.

India's global reach in seafood exports has expanded significantly, now reaching 130 countries, up from 105 in 2014-15. Frozen shrimp remains the dominant exported marine product, contributing over 40 per cent of the total export quantity and a substantial 66.12 per cent of the total export value, with the US and China being the primary destinations.

The country's enhanced export competitiveness and improved price realisation are attributed to the central government's Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme. This initiative provides comprehensive support across the fisheries value chain, encompassing quality fish production, expansion, diversification, and intensification of brackish water aquaculture, as well as the promotion of export-oriented species.

A senior government official highlighted that the PMMSY scheme's focus on technology infusion, robust disease management and traceability systems, training and capacity building programs, the creation of modern post-harvest infrastructure with a seamless cold chain, and the development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centres has significantly boosted the country's seafood production and exports.

Looking ahead, the central government aims to achieve an ambitious export turnover of $18 billion (Rs 1.57 lakh crore) by 2030. This target is outlined in the Vision Document - 2030 for India's seafood exports, formulated by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), which operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, according to the official statement.

MPEDA plays a pivotal role in overseeing and facilitating seafood exports from India. The Department of Fisheries is actively implementing the flagship PMMSY scheme with a significant investment of Rs 20,050 crore in the fisheries sector over a five-year period spanning from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 across all States and Union Territories, which is credited with driving the recent surge in exports.

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