How Can Identifying State-Specific Species Boost India’s Seafood Exports?
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Synopsis
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlights the importance of value addition and state-specific species in enhancing India's seafood exports. The government is committed to improving infrastructure and market linkages, addressing tariff challenges, and increasing the share of value-added products. With significant growth in fish production, the future of India's seafood exports looks promising.
Key Takeaways
- Value addition is crucial for increasing export potential.
- Identifying state-specific species can unlock new opportunities.
- Strengthening infrastructure is vital for the fisheries sector.
- Current value-added products make up only 10% of exports.
- India's fish production has grown by 104% in recent years.
New Delhi, Aug 12 (NationPress) Enhancing value addition and pinpointing state-specific species are crucial for elevating India’s seafood exports, according to Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
Singh emphasized the necessity of value addition in the seafood sector to amplify its export potential.
During the ‘Seafood Exporters Meet 2025,’ he brought to light the government’s ongoing initiatives aimed at the fisheries sector, which include the establishment of a single-window system for improved market linkages among stakeholders, fortifying fishing activities in the High Seas and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and enhancing infrastructure, all designed to reinforce the fisheries sector.
The minister pointed out the essential role of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in navigating the tariff obstacles faced by the industry and called on MPEDA, along with state governments, to engage in stakeholder consultations to accurately map state-wise species-specific exports and uncover new export opportunities.
He reassured stakeholders of the government’s dedication to fortifying Indian seafood exports.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary (Fisheries) at MoFAH&D, noted that currently, only about 10 percent of India’s seafood exports by value are value-added products, stressing the need to increase this figure to 30–60 percent in accordance with global standards through improved domestic production or import-and-re-export strategies.
He expressed concerns regarding the heavy reliance on a single species, Whiteleg shrimp, which constitutes 62 percent of the export value but only 38 percent of the total quantity.
Dr. Likhi highlighted the urgency of minimizing post-harvest losses and assured that challenges related to tariff and non-tariff barriers would be tackled in partnership with the Department of Commerce, Ministry of External Affairs, and other pertinent authorities.
He also urged for targeted input to identify and finance infrastructure enhancements that could dramatically boost value addition across the seafood export value chain.
India’s annual fish production has seen a remarkable increase of 104 percent, growing from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013-14 to 195 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25.
Inland fisheries and aquaculture have surfaced as vital contributors, accounting for over 75 percent of total production.
Point of View
We recognize the importance of India's seafood export potential. The focus on value addition and state-specific species is crucial for sustainable growth. With the government's initiatives, we expect a significant impact on the fisheries sector, ensuring that India competes globally in seafood exports.
NationPress
07/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current percentage of value-added seafood products in India?
Currently, only about 10 percent of India’s seafood exports by value are value-added products.
What is the government's plan to increase seafood exports?
The government plans to enhance value addition, develop a single-window system for market linkages, and strengthen infrastructure in the fisheries sector.
Why is there concern over reliance on Whiteleg shrimp?
Whiteleg shrimp accounts for 62 percent of export value but only 38 percent of quantity, indicating a risk in dependency on a single species.
