India's seafood exports stand at USD 7.45 billion in 2024-25: MPEDA

India shipped 16,98,170 tonnes of seafood worth Rs 62,408 crore (USD 7.45 billion) during 2024-25, according to Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

Frozen shrimp retained its prominence as the top exported item in terms of volume and value to the US and China turning out to be the major importer from India's seafood industry.

As for overseas markets, USA continued to be the major importer of Indian seafood in value terms with an import worth US$ 2,714.94 million, with volume handled 3,46,868 MT.

Exports to the US increased by 6.50 per cent in US dollars, 8.76 per cent in rupee value and 5.37 per cent in volume. Within USA's seafood import basket by India, frozen shrimp continued to be the principal item with share of 92.55 per cent in terms of US dollar.

China emerged as the largest seafood export destination from India in terms of quantity: 3,96,424 MT worth US$ 1,276.58 million. European Union continued to be the third largest destination by terms of dollars, with an import of 2,15,080 MT ($ 1,125.60 million).

Frozen shrimp Frozen shrimp earned India Rs.43,334.25 crore (US$5,177.01 matric million), enabling this variety retain its position as the most significant item in the basket of seafood exports.

As for its quantity, frozen shrimp accounted for a 43.67 per cent share, thus mustering 69.46 of the total dollar earnings. Shrimp exports during the period increased by 8.30 % in ₹ value and 6.06% in value US$, MPEDA Chairman D.V. Swamy told a media conference in Kochi.

The overall export of frozen shrimps during 2024-25 was pegged at 7,41,529 MT. USA, which is the largest market, imported (3,11,948 MT) of frozen shrimp, followed by China (1,36,164 MT). The other top importers in the order are European Union (99,310 MT), South-East Asia (58,003 MT), Japan (38,917 MT) and the Middle East (32,784 MT).

Other countries all together totalled 64,403 MT. The export of Vannamei, Black Tiger and Scampi showed an increase in both the volume and value.

Frozen Fish, the second largest exported item, fetched Rs 5,212.12 crore ($ 622.60 million).

Frozen squid, which is the third largest exported item, earned Rs 3078.01 crore (US$ 367.68 million), showing a positive export trend of 0.54 per cent in terms of rupee value.

The export of dried Items pegged at 2,52,948 MT, earning Rs 2852.60 crore ($ 340.75 millions), Shri Swamy pointed out at the press meet, where MPEDA Director Dr Ram Mohan M.K. gave a power-point presentation on the milestones of MPEDA in its services to the sector.

Frozen cuttlefish showed a growth in terms of volume and value in US dollars by 9.11 per cent and 3.99 per cent respectively. The exports were 59,264 MT worth US$ 285.57 million.

The export of chilled items fetched ₹ 659.41 crore (US$ 78.79 million), while that of live Items gained a growth of 15.21 per cent in value (US$ 56.01 million).