**Summary:**
Effective September 22, 2025, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has implemented GST relief measures across the fisheries value chain, following approval by the GST Council on September 3, 2025. The reforms aim to reduce operational costs, enhance competitiveness, and benefit stakeholders in fishing and aquaculture. Key changes include a reduction in GST from 12% to 5% on fish oils, fish extracts, prepared/preserved fish and shrimp products, and from 12-18% to 5% on essential aquaculture inputs like diesel engines, pumps, aerators, sprinklers, ammonia, and micronutrients. The GST rate on fishing gear (rods, nets, tackle) has also been reduced from 12% to 5%. Furthermore, job work services in food and agro-processing, including seafood, will see a GST reduction from 12% to 5%, and composting machines will be taxed at 5% to encourage sustainable practices. These revisions are intended to strengthen India's seafood exports, promote domestic consumption, and support the livelihoods of over 3 crore people dependent on the sector. In 2024-25, India's fish production reached approximately 195 lakh tonnes, positioning the nation as the second-largest fish producer globally. Seafood exports exceeded Rs. 60,000 crores in 2023-24. The implemented GST rate reductions were released by Aditi Agrawal with Release ID: 2163641 on September 4th, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry Dairying: The Indian government ministry responsible for the fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying sectors.
GST: Goods and Services Tax, an indirect tax used in India on the supply of goods and services.
GST Council: The governing body that makes recommendations regarding GST in India.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: The Prime Minister of India, whose vision is referenced in the context of GST reforms.
India: The country to which the policy applies; a major fish producer and shrimp exporter.
Blue Economy: A sustainable economic model related to the use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.
Viksit Bharat: Government of India's vision for a developed India.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
GST Relief Across Fisheries Value Chain: Fishing
Nets, Seafood Products and Aquaculture Inputs All
at 5%
Posted On: 04 SEP 2025 1:32PM by PIB Delhi
In line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making GST, a truly “Good and Simple Tax” that
empowers every sector of the economy, the Fisheries Sector has received a major boost under the latest
GST reforms approved by the GST Council in its 56th meeting held on 3rd September 2025. The
significant tax rate rationalization in the fisheries sector will help in reduction of operational costs, enhance
competitiveness in domestic and export markets, and directly benefit millions of fish farmers and other
stakeholders dependent on fishing and aquaculture for their livelihoods in the country.
Under the revised structure, GST on fish oils, fish extracts, and prepared or preserved fish and shrimp
products has been reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent, making value-added seafood more affordable for
domestic consumers and enhancing the competitiveness of India’s seafood exports. Diesel engines, pumps,
aerators, and sprinklers, essential for aquaculture operations and hatcheries, will now attract only 5
percent GST instead of the earlier 12 to 18 percent, significantly reducing operational costs for fish farmers.
Critical chemicals such as ammonia and micronutrients used in pond preparation and water quality
management will also be taxed at 5 percent, down from the earlier 12 to 18 percent, cutting costs of feed,
pond conditioning, and farm-level practices. Reduced GST on preserved fish, shrimp, and molluscs will
strengthen India’s seafood exports globally while promoting greater domestic consumption of safe and
hygienically processed seafood. The GST rate on fishing rods, tackle, landing nets, butterfly nets, and
gear has been reduced from 12% to 5%, benefiting both recreational/sport fishing as well as small-scale
aquaculture and capture fisheries farmers. This will make essential gear more affordable, lowering input costs
and supporting livelihoods in the sector. The decision further provides relief to processing units, with GST on
job work services in food and agro-processing, including seafood, cut from 12 percent to 5 percent.
Composting machines, vital for producing organic manure and ensuring eco-friendly pond management, will
now be taxed at 5 percent, encouraging sustainable aquaculture practices.
India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing in the world, contributing
significantly to food and nutritional security, farmer incomes, rural livelihoods, and exports. The sector today
supports the livelihood of over 3 crore people and has positioned India as the second-largest fish producer
globally with a production of nearly 195 lakh tonnes (2024-25). India is also one of the largest shrimp
exporters in the world, with seafood exports crossing Rs. 60,000 crores in 2023-24, thereby earning valuable
foreign exchange and strengthening the nation’s Blue Economy.
These reforms are expected to directly benefit fish farmers, aquaculturists, small-scale fishers, women’s self-
help groups, and cooperatives, easing their financial burden and improving rural livelihoods. The revised GST
nd
rates will come into effect from 22 September 2025. These decisions mark a significant step towards
making India’s fisheries sector more productive, competitive, and sustainable, and are fully aligned with the
Government’s vision of a robust Blue Economy contributing to Viksit Bharat.
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Aditi Agrawal(Release ID: 2163641)