Date: 2026-05-14Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Meeting Co-chaired chaired by Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry on fisheries export promotion
**Executive Summary**
On 14 May 2026, a high-level meeting co-chaired by the Ministers of Commerce & Industry and Fisheries was held in New Delhi to establish a roadmap for fisheries export promotion. The session focused on achieving the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision through scheme convergence, infrastructure development, and the promotion of value-added products. Key action items include expanding the export footprint of inland States and enhancing compliance with international sustainability standards following a record-breaking export performance in FY 2025–26.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Export Performance and Strategic Growth**
* Achieved an all-time high in seafood exports reaching ₹72,325.82 crore (US$ 8.28 billion) in FY 2025–26, with frozen shrimp accounting for over two-thirds of earnings.
* Prioritized species diversification, branding, and value addition to enhance the income of fisherfolk.
* Institutionalized a multi-agency coordination mechanism to address export diversification and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) challenges.
**Infrastructure and Regional Development**
* Proposed the establishment of at least one fisheries processing plant in every district to strengthen post-harvest infrastructure.
* Notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters to support export ecosystems and value chains.
* Focused on expanding the institutional presence of MPEDA and EIC in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep to tap into high-value species like Tuna.
* Called for the accelerated development of deep-sea fishing infrastructure.
**Regulatory Compliance and Sustainability**
* Launched the National Traceability Framework for Fisheries and Aquaculture (2025) to ensure compliance with international market standards.
* Notified EEZ Rules and High Seas Guidelines (2025) to provide a regulatory framework for sustainable, export-oriented fisheries.
* Implemented measures for marine mammal comparability approvals, use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), and strengthened antibiotic and residue controls.
**Institutional Support and Capacity Building**
* Initiated time-bound skill development and market readiness programs for exporters through NFDB and MPEDA.
* Aimed to increase the number of registered exporters and expand India’s presence in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).
* Mandated the identification of export gaps across inland States and Union Territories.
**Impact Analysis**
**Exporters and Industry Stakeholders**
**Impact**
Exporters gain access to improved infrastructure, simplified SPS approvals, and new export clusters. However, they face stricter compliance requirements regarding traceability and sustainability.
**Action Required**
Exporters must register with relevant authorities, adopt the National Traceability Framework, and participate in time-bound capacity-building programs for market readiness.
**Inland States and Union Territories**
**Impact**
These regions are targeted for growth through new strategies focused on freshwater species exports and the assessment of untapped export potential.
**Action Required**
State governments and local agencies must collaborate with MPEDA and NFDB to identify export gaps and species-wise potential.
**Government Institutions (MPEDA, EIC, NFDB, FSI)**
**Impact**
These organizations are tasked with expanded roles in regional administration (specifically in Island territories) and intensified monitoring of high-seas resources.
**Action Required**
Institutions must intensify efforts to harness tuna resources, expand their physical presence in resource-rich regions, and coordinate on-site workshops for technology adoption and logistics.
**Fisherfolk**
**Impact**
Fisherfolk are expected to see increased incomes driven by value addition, better infrastructure, and sustainable growth in the sector.
**Action Required**
Engagement with new production clusters and adherence to updated sustainable fishing guidelines, such as the use of Turtle Excluder Devices.
Key Entities Referenced
National Traceability Framework for Fisheries and Aquaculture (2025): A policy initiative launched to enhance traceability in the seafood supply chain and ensure compliance with international market standards.
EEZ Rules and High Seas Guidelines, 2025: A regulatory framework notified to govern sustainable and export-oriented fisheries within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone and the high seas.
Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): The primary agency responsible for promoting seafood exports, identifying export gaps, and coordinating capacity building for exporters.
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): An organization tasked with skill development, market readiness programs, and assessing species-wise export potential in coordination with other agencies.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep: Resource-rich regions targeted for institutional expansion and the promotion of high-value species exports like Tuna.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Meeting Co-chaired chaired by Hon’ble Minister
for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and
Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry on
fisheries export promotion
Focus on scheme convergence, value addition and export
strategies for inland fisheries
Posted On: 14 MAY 2026 7:30PM by PIB Delhi
A Meeting was Co-chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry and Shri
Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj on
14th May 2026 in New Delhi to deliberate fisheries export promotion. During the meeting, discussions
focused on identifying measures to enhance fisheries export potential through convergence of schemes
between the Department of Commerce and the Department of Fisheries to boost production and
exports, steps for promotion of fishery products including value-added products, and facilitation of
sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) approvals in key international markets. The meeting also
deliberated on assessing export gaps in inland States and developing targeted strategies for
promoting freshwater species exports, with a view to strengthening India’s overall fisheries export
ecosystem.Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, appreciated the efforts to achieve an
all-time high seafood exports of ₹72,325.82 crore (US$ 8.28 billion) in FY 2025–26. He discussed
opportunities to boost fisheries exports and enhance the incomes of fisherfolk. The commitment to
fostering sustainable growth & driving innovation in the fisheries sector was also reiterated. He
underscored the need for continued collaboration among stakeholders to further strengthen the export
segment, focusing on species diversification, branding and value addition. He stressed upon the need to
accelerate development of deep-sea fishing infrastructure and to expand India’s presence in Regional
Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). He also called for increasing the number of registered
exporters, augmenting processing capacity, and strengthening waste management practices across the
sector.
Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati
Raj, highlighted that the department has undertaken various steps and initiative focused on traceability,
processing, Value addition, certification to enhance seafood exports in coordination with MPEDA, EIC,
Seafood exporters and other stakeholders. He emphasised the need to set up at least one processing plant
in each district to strengthen post-harvest infrastructure. Union Minister Fisheries underscored the need
for capacity building of exporters, with time bound program for skill development and market readiness
by NFDB and MPEDA. He further urged MPEDA to identify export gaps across inland States and UTs
and assess species-wise export potential in coordination with NFDB. He also highlighted the need for
expanded institutional presence of MPEDA and EIC in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and
Lakshadweep, recognising the huge export potential of high vale species like Tuna.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D, also attended the meeting and
emphasised the critical role of traceability in enhancing seafood exports and ensuring compliance with
international market standards. He also highlighted that the Department of Fisheries, GoI has notified 34
fisheries production and processing clusters aiming to strengthen value chains and supporting exportecosystems. He further called upon institutions such as FSI, MPEDA and NFDB to intensify efforts
towards harnessing the untapped potential of tuna resources in the high seas, with a view to expanding
India’s footprint in marine fisheries exports.
This joint meeting has carved a roadmap for enhancing seafood export in close coordination and
convergence with all stakeholders towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Background
India’s seafood exports reaching an all-time high of ₹72,325.82 crore (US$ 8.28 billion) and 19.32 lakh
metric tonnes in FY 2025-26 from ₹62,408 Cr (7.45 billion USD) and 16.98 Lakh metric tonnes in FY
2024-25. 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.
In order to sustain and strengthen India’s seafood export ecosystem, the Department of Fisheries,
Government of India has undertaken a range of targeted interventions focused on market development,
stakeholder engagement, institutional coordination, and sustainability compliance. These efforts
include regular consultations with exporters, State Governments and key stakeholders, as well as
organisation of high-level events such as Seafood Exporters Meets, investor meets in Andaman &
Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, and nationwide workshops on value addition, logistics, and
technology adoption. The Department has also intensively engaged through bilateral meetings and
global outreach initiatives to expand market access, address regulatory barriers, and promote Indian
seafood in emerging and traditional markets. A multi-agency coordination mechanism has been
institutionalised to address export diversification, branding, and SPS/NTB challenges through regular
reviews. In parallel, deliberations in Parliamentary Committees have guided policy focus on infrastructure,
traceability, and value addition.
Further, the Department has taken significant steps towards strengthening compliance and
sustainability frameworks, including securing marine mammal comparability approval from the
United States, promotion of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in shrimp trawling, strengthening of
antibiotic and residue controls, and launch of a National Traceability Framework for Fisheries and
Aquaculture (2025). The notification of EEZ Rules and High Seas Guidelines, 2025, has provided a
regulatory framework for sustainable and export-oriented fisheries, particularly in resource-rich regions
such as the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, which together account for a significant
share of India’s marine potential. These coordinated measures are aimed at enhancing competitiveness,
ensuring sustainability, and positioning India as a reliable supplier in the global seafood market.
***
JP
(Release ID: 2261172) Visitor Counter : 202
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Tamil