Marine exports dip nearly 11%

New Delhi The country's exports of marine products fell 10.88 per cent to $5.96 billion (Rs 43,717.26 crore) during 2020-21 due to the pandemic and sluggish overseas markets, the commerce ministry said on Thursday. It said the US, China and the European Union were the leading importers, while frozen shrimp retained its position as the major export item, followed by frozen fish. In 2019-20, India exported 12,89,651 tonne of seafood worth Rs 46,662.85 crore ($ 6.68 billion). It was 11,49,341 tonne in 2020-21. " The Covid-19 pandemic and sluggish overseas markets cast their shadow over India's resurgent seafood sector as the country exported 11,49,341 tonne of marine products worth Rs 43,717.26 crore (USD 5.96 billion) during 2020-21, registering a contraction of 10.88 per cent as compared to a year earlier," it said. Frozen shrimp contributed 51.36 per cent in quantity and 74.31 per cent of the total dollar earnings. The US remained its largest importer (2,72,041 tonne), followed by China (1,01,846 tonne), the EU (70,133 tonne), Japan (40,502 tonne), South East Asia (38,389 tonne), and the Middle East (29,108 tonne).