India’s Seafood Exports Hit Record Rs 72,326 Crore In FY26

New Delhi, Apr 22 (KNN) India’s seafood exports reached an all-time high of Rs 72,325.82 crore (USD 8.28 billion) in FY 2025–26, with export volumes touching 19.32 lakh metric tonnes, according to provisional data released by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

Frozen shrimp continued to dominate the export basket, contributing Rs 47,973.13 crore (USD  5.51 billion) and accounting for over two-thirds of total earnings. Shipments of shrimp rose by 4.6 per cent  in volume and 6.35 per cent  in value during the year.

The United States remained the largest export destination with imports worth USD  2.32 billion, although shipments declined by 19.8 per cent  in volume and 14.5 per cent  in value, largely due to the impact of reciprocal tariffs.

The decline was offset by strong growth in alternative markets. Exports to China increased by 22.7 per cent  in value and 20.1 per cent  in volume, while shipments to the European Union rose sharply by 37.9 per cent  in value and 35.2 per cent  in volume.

 Southeast Asian markets also recorded robust growth of over 36.1 per cent  in value and 28.2 per cent  in volume. Exports to Japan grew by 6.55 per cent  in value, while West Asia saw a marginal decline.

On the product side, exports of frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried items, and live products registered positive growth, while chilled products declined. Value-added segments such as surimi, fishmeal, and fish oil also showed improved performance.

In terms of logistics, key ports including Visakhapatnam Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Cochin Port, Kolkata Port and Chennai Port together accounted for nearly 64 per cent  of the total export value.

(KNN Bureau)