Amaravati, March 11 (NationPress) The Andhra Pradesh government has reassured aqua farmers in the state to remain calm regarding the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East and its potential effects on the aquaculture industry.

State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, has urged shrimp producers to avoid panic harvesting, despite concerns about seafood exports stemming from the conflict in the Gulf region.

During a video conference with the Co-Vice Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) and various committee members, Atchannaidu reviewed the situation on Wednesday.

He noted that recent media reports have caused anxiety among some aqua farmers regarding the Gulf conflict.

According to the Minister, only 3-4% of India's seafood exports are directed to the Middle East, primarily via the Strait of Hormuz.

He emphasized that shipments bound for other regions like the European Union, the United States, Japan, and China are still progressing smoothly through routes such as the Red Sea Suez Canal, the Cape of Good Hope, and the China Sea. Thus, the current unrest is unlikely to significantly impact India's seafood exports.

Atchannaidu also mentioned that demand in the US market is expected to rise by the end of March 2026.

He indicated that this demand surge is likely post the Seafood Expo North America (taking place March 15–17, 2026, in Boston). There is generally strong demand for 50 and 60 count shrimp in the US, which aligns with the sizes produced by Andhra Pradesh farmers, negating the need for early catches.

The Minister pointed out that the roughly 20% tariff imposed by the US on Indian shrimp (including Basic Duty, Anti-Dumping Duty – ADD, Countervailing Duty – CVD) is comparable to those on competing nations, thereby maintaining India's competitiveness in the global seafood export market.

He clarified that circulating rumors about a shortage of shipping containers are unfounded. There is no evidence that exports are being hampered by container shortages, and shipments from Andhra Pradesh have not yet faced any returns.

Atchannaidu added that monthly review meetings will be conducted with APSADA officials and the Aquaculture Advisory Committee to monitor the export landscape and provide timely guidance to farmers.

He reiterated that if the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the European Union are finalized, it could open up more opportunities for Indian seafood exports, bolstering future exports.

Aqua farmers are advised against early harvesting, as this may lead to an oversupply in the market, which could decrease shrimp prices and cause financial losses. Farmers should harvest only when the culture cycle is complete, in consultation with exporters and fisheries officials.

The Andhra Pradesh government is actively monitoring international developments in the fisheries sector and is coordinating with exporters, processing units, and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted seafood exports from the state.

In a related note, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of safeguarding NRIs in the Gulf during a conference with district Collectors.

He also highlighted the need for officials to explore alternative markets to mitigate the impact of the agricultural sector crisis resulting from the conflict.