Date: 2026-04-21Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
India’s Seafood Exports Cross ₹72,000 Crore, Reach All-Time High in the history of marine products exports from the country; Frozen Shrimp Leads Exports; USA and China Remain Top Importers
**Executive Summary**
In FY 2025–26, India's seafood exports reached a record high of ₹72,325.82 crore (US$ 8.28 billion), driven by a 19.32 lakh metric tonne volume. Despite a decline in the US market due to reciprocal tariffs, robust growth in China, the EU, and Southeast Asia supported overall expansion. The government has prioritized market diversification and sustainability through the 2025 National Traceability Framework and the notification of the EEZ Rules, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Export Performance and Product Drivers**
* Seafood exports achieved an all-time high in both value (₹72,325.82 crore) and volume (19.32 lakh metric tonnes).
* Frozen shrimp remains the dominant export, accounting for over two-thirds of total earnings (₹47,973.13 crore).
* Positive growth was recorded in frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried items, surimi, fishmeal, and fish oil.
* Exports of chilled products saw a decline during this period.
* **Market Dynamics and Diversification**
* The United States remains the largest importer (US$ 2.32 billion) but saw a 14.5% decline in value due to reciprocal tariffs.
* China emerged as the second-largest destination with a 22.7% increase in export value.
* The European Union and Southeast Asia recorded significant value growth of 37.9% and 36.1%, respectively.
* Market access expanded through the approval of 211 new export establishments in markets including the EU, UK, China, Russia, and Brazil.
* **Regulatory and Sustainability Measures**
* Implementation of the National Traceability Framework in 2025 to enhance transparency.
* Notification of the EEZ Rules, 2025, to support export-oriented fisheries.
* Mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in shrimp trawls and enhanced antibiotic residue controls.
* Achievement of Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) comparability approval from the United States.
* **Logistics and Infrastructure**
* Five major ports—Vizag, JNPT, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai—handle approximately 64% of the total seafood export value.
* The government held targeted Investors’ Meets in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep to stimulate private sector interest.
**Impact Analysis**
**Seafood Exporters**
**Impact**
Exporters benefit from expanded market access and 211 new approved establishments, though they face challenges in the US market due to tariffs.
**Action Required**
Exporters must comply with the National Traceability Framework (2025), adhere to antibiotic control standards, and utilize mandatory Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs).
**Fish Farmers**
**Impact**
Increased focus on the sector aims to improve livelihood security and modernize value chains as part of the "Viksit Bharat @ 2047" vision.
**Action Required**
Farmers need to align with sustainability standards and modernized aquaculture practices to meet international export requirements.
**Port and Logistics Authorities**
**Impact**
Major hubs (Vizag, JNPT, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai) remain critical, as they manage the majority of the supply chain volume.
**Action Required**
These entities must ensure infrastructure efficiency to handle the record-breaking volumes and support continued export growth.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Fisheries: The primary executive body under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying responsible for implementing initiatives to strengthen seafood exports and fisheries infrastructure.
Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): The statutory body responsible for monitoring marine product exports and providing the official trade data used to track the sector's performance.
National Traceability Framework in 2025: A strategic initiative launched to enhance supply chain transparency and meet international regulatory standards for seafood exports.
EEZ Rules, 2025: Regulatory rules notified to govern sustainable and export-oriented fishing activities within India's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA): A United States regulatory framework cited regarding comparability approvals necessary for maintaining seafood trade access to the US market.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
India’s Seafood Exports Cross ₹72,000 Crore,
Reach All-Time High in the history of marine
products exports from the country; Frozen
Shrimp Leads Exports; USA and China Remain
Top Importers
Posted On: 21 APR 2026 9:18PM by PIB Delhi
India’s fisheries sector continues to play a key role in advancing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a
Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Emphasising the sector’s role in livelihood security and national growth, the
Hon’ble Prime Minister has said that “the Government will keep working towards a vibrant fisheries
sector with emphasis on improving the lives of fish farmers.” Guided by this vision, the Government of
India has initiated a series of targeted measures aimed at strengthening fisheries and aquaculture,
modernising value chains and expanding seafood exports.
To strengthen the fisheries sector and promote seafood exports, under the leadership of Union Minister,
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) and Ministry of Panchayati Raj
(MoPR), Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, the Department of Fisheries has undertaken several focused
initiatives. These include a Round Table Conference on Seafood Exports with participation from
diplomats of 39 countries and key international organisations including ADB, AFD, FAO, JICA and
BOBP-IGO, focusing on exports, value addition, sustainability, technology transfer and emerging areas
such as ornamental fisheries and seaweed, Investors’ Meets in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and
Lakshadweep to generate private sector interest in fisheries and allied activities, and the Seafood
Exporters Meet 2026 held in New Delhi, which focused on strengthening the marine export ecosystem,
increasing value addition and expanding global market reach. In addition, coordinated measures to support
market diversification and export expansion through continuous monitoring of export trends, market
conditions, and engagement with exporters, State Governments, and other stakeholders have been made.
Market access has expanded with the approval of 211 new export establishments across key global
markets, including the EU, UK, China, Russia and Brazil. Focused diplomatic and trade outreach has
supported entry into alternative markets. In parallel, regulatory and compliance frameworks have been
strengthened through the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) comparability approval from the
United States, mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in shrimp trawls, enhanced controls
on antibiotics and residues, the launch of the National Traceability Framework in 2025, and the
notification of the EEZ Rules, 2025 to support sustainable and export-oriented fisheries.
As a result of the ongoing efforts, India’s seafood exports rose to a record ₹72,325.82 crore (US$ 8.28
billion) in FY 2025–26, with volumes reaching 19.32 lakh metric tonnes, according to provisional data
released by MPEDA.
Frozen shrimp remained the primary growth driver, contributing ₹47,973.13 crore (US$ 5.51 billion),
accounting for over two-thirds of total export earnings. Shipments of shrimp grew 4.6% in volume and
6.35% in value, reinforcing its dominance in India’s marine products export basket.The United States retained its position as the largest export destination, with imports totalling US$2.32
billion. However, shipments to the US declined by 19.8% in volume and 14.5% in value, reflecting
primarily the impact of reciprocal tariffs.
This decline was offset by robust growth in alternative markets such as China, EU and Southeast Asian
countries. Exports to China, the second-largest destination, rose 22.7% in value and 20.1% in volume. The
European Union posted strong gains, with exports increasing by 37.9% in value and 35.2% in volume.
Southeast Asia also recorded significant expansion, with growth of over 36.1% and 28.2% in value and
volume, respectively. Exports to Japan grew 6.55% by value, while those to West Asia showed a marginal
decline of 0.55%, due to the turmoil in the region during the fag end of the financial year.
Several individual markets registered strong double-digit growth, underscoring a clear shift towards
diversification amid trade headwinds in traditional markets.
On the product side, exports of frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried items, and live products showed
positive momentum, while chilled products declined. The export of the surimi, fishmeal and fish oil
reported improved performance.
In terms of logistics, the top five ports—Vizag, JNPT, Kochi, Kolkata and Chennai—accounted for nearly
64% of total export value, highlighting their continued importance in India’s seafood export supply chain.
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JP
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