NEW DELHI, Apr 22: India’s marine product exports touched an all-time high of Rs 72,325.82 crore (USD 8.28 billion) in FY 2025-26, overcoming geopolitical tensions in West Asia, tariff pressures in the United States, and volatile global trade conditions.
According to provisional data released by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), the country exported 1.93 million tonnes of seafood during the fiscal year, marking a record in both value and volume.
The strong performance comes amid multiple global headwinds, including shipping disruptions linked to the prolonged West Asia crisis, elevated freight costs and uneven demand across key markets.
Frozen shrimp once again emerged as the undisputed engine of India’s seafood export growth.
The segment contributed Rs 47,973.13 crore (USD 5.51 billion), accounting for more than two-thirds of the country’s total marine export earnings. Shrimp exports also rose 4.6 per cent in volume and 6.35 per cent in value.
Southeast Asia emerged as another major growth centre, registering an increase of 36.1 per cent in value and 28.2 per cent in volume.
Japan also remained a stable market, with imports rising 6.55 per cent in value. In contrast, exports to West Asia saw a marginal decline of 0.55 per cent, largely attributed to regional instability and logistical uncertainties during the fag end of the financial year, according to a MPEDA statement.
The United States (US) retained its position as India’s largest seafood market, importing marine products worth USD 2.32 billion. Exports to the country registered a decline of 19.8 per cent in volume and 14.5 per cent in value due to the impact of reciprocal tariff measures and changing buying patterns. However, exporters were able to offset the slowdown in the American market through stronger penetration into other regions.
Exports to China, the second-largest destination, recorded impressive growth, with imports from India rising 22.7 per cent in value and 20.1 per cent in volume. The European union also posted robust gains, with exports jumping 37.9 per cent in value and 35.2 per cent in volume, indicating stronger demand recovery and widening acceptance of Indian seafood products.
Exports of frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried marine items, and live products registered positive growth, while chilled products declined.
Surimi, fishmeal, and fish oil also reported improved performance. However, chilled products witnessed a decline, likely due to shorter shelf-life constraints and higher transportation costs, the MPEDA said.
Notably, imposition of a 50 per cent tariff by the United States since August 2025 on Indian seafood imports had posed a significant challenge to the sector.
As per the data, in FY25, India exported 3,46,868 tonnes of seafood worth USD 2.71 billion to the US, accounting for 36.4 per cent of total seafood exports. The steep tariff had created a substantial duty disadvantage for Indian exporters, especially in comparison to key competitors such as Ecuador, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
(UNI)
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