India’s Seafood Exports Hit All-Time High of ₹72,000 Crore

**Executive Summary** India’s seafood exports reached a record high of ₹72,325.82 crore (US$ 8.28 billion) in FY 2025–26, driven by a 19.32 lakh metric tonne volume. While frozen shrimp remained the dominant export, the industry successfully navigated reciprocal tariffs in the US and regional turmoil in West Asia by diversifying into markets like China, the EU, and Southeast Asia. The report, based on provisional MPEDA data, highlights a strategic shift toward market expansion and the critical role of major Indian ports. **Key Points / Main Content** **Export Performance and Drivers** * **Record Growth:** Total seafood exports hit an all-time high in both value (₹72,325.82 crore) and volume (19.32 lakh metric tonnes). * **Shrimp Dominance:** Frozen shrimp accounted for over two-thirds of total earnings, contributing ₹47,973.13 crore. * **Product Momentum:** Positive growth was noted in exports of frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried items, live products, surimi, and fishmeal, while chilled products saw a decline. **Market Trends and Diversification** * **US Market Decline:** Although the US remains the largest destination (US$ 2.32 billion), exports declined by 14.5% in value due to reciprocal tariffs. * **China’s Expansion:** China emerged as the second-largest destination, with significant growth in value (22.7%) and volume (20.1%). * **European and Asian Gains:** The EU saw a value increase of 37.9%, while Southeast Asia and Japan grew by 36.1% and 6.55%, respectively. * **West Asia Headwinds:** Exports to West Asia declined marginally by 0.55% due to regional instability toward the end of the fiscal year. **Logistics and Infrastructure** * **Port Concentration:** Five key ports—Vizag, JNPT, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai—handled nearly 64% of the total seafood export value. **Impact Analysis** **Indian Seafood Exporters** **Impact** Exporters are experiencing record revenues but face volatility in traditional markets like the US and West Asia due to tariffs and geopolitical tension. **Action Required** Exporters must continue to diversify their market focus toward high-growth regions like the EU and China and pivot away from declining product categories such as chilled items. **Major Port Authorities (Vizag, JNPT, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai)** **Impact** These five ports are the primary hubs for India’s seafood supply chain, managing the vast majority of export logistics. **Action Required** Authorities must ensure infrastructure efficiency to handle increasing volumes, which have now reached nearly 20 lakh metric tonnes. **Ministry of Commerce & Industry / MPEDA** **Impact** The government's data reflects the success of market diversification strategies in offsetting losses in the US. **Action Required** Continued monitoring of trade barriers (reciprocal tariffs) and regional turmoil is necessary to sustain growth in the upcoming fiscal year.

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