India’s Seafood Exports Hit All-Time High of Rs 73,890 Crore in FY26

New Delhi, Jun 2 (KNN) India’s seafood exports reached a record high of Rs 73,890.46 crore (USD 8.46 billion) in FY 2025–26, with export volumes rising to 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT), according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). 

The United States and China remained the largest markets for Indian seafood exports during the year.

Frozen shrimp continued to be the dominant export product, accounting for Rs 49,037.93 crore (USD 5.62 billion) in export earnings. The segment contributed 40.19 per cent of total seafood export volume and 66.52 per cent of total export earnings in dollar terms. Shrimp exports increased by 13.16 per cent in rupee value and 8.64 per cent in dollar value during the year.

India exported 7,92,647 MT of frozen shrimp in FY 2025–26. The United States remained the largest market for Indian shrimp exports, followed by China, the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East. Exports of both Litopenaeus vannamei and Black Tiger shrimp recorded growth in volume and value.

Frozen fish was the second-largest export category, generating Rs 5,658.37 crore (USD 643.70 million), while dried seafood products ranked third with export earnings of Rs 5,079.09 crore (USD 577.44 million). Dried seafood exports registered a growth of 78.05 per cent in rupee value terms.

Exports of frozen squid stood at 1,02,060 MT, valued at Rs 4,493.80 crore (USD 513.84 million). Frozen cuttlefish exports reached 67,157 MT and generated USD 331.96 million, with both volume and value recording double-digit growth during the year.

Among export destinations, the United States remained the largest market in value terms, importing Indian seafood worth USD 2.33 billion. However, exports to the US declined in value and volume compared with the previous year.

Frozen shrimp accounted for more than 93 per cent of the value of India’s seafood exports to the US.

China was the largest destination by volume, importing 4,90,369 MT of Indian seafood valued at USD 1.61 billion. The European Union was the third-largest market in value terms, followed by Southeast Asia, while Japan and the Middle East remained important export destinations.

According to MPEDA Chairman P. Jawahar, the record performance was achieved despite challenging global market conditions.

The top three ports handling seafood export cargo during FY 2025–26 were Visakhapatnam Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Cochin Port.

(KNN Bureau)