On 02/12/2025, Unstarred Question No. 295 was addressed regarding import restrictions on prawns from India. Specifically, the question asked whether Australia had decided to ease import restrictions on prawns from India, if New Zealand importers were pushing their Governments for shrimp imports from India, and if the Indian Government was facilitating shrimp exports to New Zealand.
In response, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Shri Jitin Prasada) stated that to facilitate smooth trade between India and Australia, the Government of India negotiated a mutually accepted health certificate for cooked, battered/breaded, and uncooked prawns during 2022–23, which has been accepted by Australian authorities.
To promote seafood exports, value addition, and quality assurance, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has held meetings with Embassies/High Commissions of several countries, including Australia and New Zealand. The Department of Fisheries celebrated World Fisheries Day (WFD) 2025 on November 21st, 2025, at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, under the theme “India's Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports,” with participation from 15 countries, including Australia and New Zealand.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: The Indian government ministry responsible for trade and industrial development, answering the question about import restrictions on prawns.
Australia: One of the countries involved in import restrictions of prawns from India.
New Zealand: One of the countries involved in import restrictions of shrimps from India.
Import Restrictions on Prawns from India: The subject of the parliamentary question and answer.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 295
ANSWERED ON 02/12/2025
Import Restrictions on Prawns from India
295. DR. C M RAMESH:
SHRI TANUJ PUNIA:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government of Australia has decided to ease import restrictions on
prawns from India;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is also true that importers from New Zealand are also pushing their
Governments for import of shrimps from India;
(d) if so, whether the Government is facilitating and taking steps through diplomatic and
political channels to export shrimps from India to New Zealand; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (b) To facilitate smooth trade between India and Australia in the export of prawns and
shrimps, the Government of India negotiated a mutually accepted health certificate for
cooked, battered/breaded and uncooked prawns during 2022–23. This certificate has been
formally accepted by the Australian authorities.
(c) to (e) To promote seafood exports, value addition, quality assurance etc. the Department
of Fisheries, Government of India, has also held a series of meetings with Embassies/High
Commissions of several countries, including Australia and New Zealand.
Further, the Department of Fisheries celebrated World Fisheries Day (WFD) 2025 on 21st
November 2025 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, with the theme “India’s Blue
Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports.” The event witnessed
participation from 15 countries, including Australia and New Zealand.
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