New Delhi, Jan 20 (NationPress) The Department of Fisheries of the Indian government is set to convene a roundtable gathering with ambassadors and high commissioners from 83 partner nations aimed at enhancing seafood exports on January 21, as announced on Tuesday.

India stands as the sixth largest exporter of fish and fishery products globally. In the fiscal year 2024–25, the nation achieved seafood exports of 16.98 lakh metric tonnes, valued at Rs 62,408 crore (approximately $7.45 billion), which constitutes nearly 18 percent of India’s overall agricultural exports.

The conference will be led by Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with the Ministers of State, George Kurian and S.P. Singh Baghel.

Representatives from countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania, and Latin America & the Caribbean are expected to participate in this event.

High-ranking officials from central ministries and international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), will also be present.

This conference serves as an essential diplomatic and technical platform, facilitating structured discussions on seafood trade, market access, regulatory collaboration, and new opportunities to enhance bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

According to an official statement, the discussions will concentrate on promoting sustainable, traceable, and value-added seafood trade, while also pinpointing investment opportunities, joint ventures, technology transfer, and capacity building.

Topics will further address reinforcing the resilience of seafood value chains against climate and market challenges. Key thematic areas to be explored include global seafood trade trends, market diversification opportunities, standards and certification, traceability and compliance systems, sustainability, and responsible sourcing. Additionally, emphasis will be placed on value addition, processing innovation, cold chain infrastructure, logistics, financing, partnerships, and the role of digital technologies in fisheries and aquaculture.

Emerging global market dynamics such as the increasing demand for high-quality, certified, and sustainably sourced seafood, as well as the rising consumption of aquaculture-based proteins in North America, Europe, and East Asia, will be highlighted. Moreover, the expansion of premium product categories, including ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat, as well as nutraceutical-grade marine products, presents substantial opportunities for India to enhance its market share.

By complying with international standards, focusing on value-added processing, diversifying species, and leveraging its competitive advantages in aquaculture and processing capabilities, India is poised for significant growth.

The anticipated outcomes of this conference are expected to play a vital role in bolstering food security, improving livelihoods across fisheries value chains, and advancing shared objectives of sustainability, resilience, and inclusive growth, as stated.