India’s Marine Export Momentum: Diversification Driving Resilience

Why in News ?

India’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in FY 2025–26 despite higher tariffs imposed by the United States, signalling a successful shift towards market diversification and enhanced export resilience.

India’s Seafood Sector: Scale and Significance

India possesses one of the world’s most diverse seafood sectors, supported by:

• A 7,500 km-long coastline
• Extensive inland water resources including rivers, reservoirs, ponds, and wetlands
• A rapidly expanding aquaculture ecosystem

The sector plays a vital role in:

• Employment generation, especially in coastal and rural areas
• Foreign exchange earnings
• Nutritional security and livelihoods

Production and Resource Base

• India is the 3rd largest fish producer globally and the 2nd largest aquaculture producer.
• Marine fisheries dominate coastal regions along both eastern and western seaboards.
• Inland fisheries and aquaculture, particularly shrimp farming, have emerged as the primary drivers of export growth.

Aquaculture-led production has helped India stabilise supply, improve quality control, and meet global demand consistently.

Export Composition

• Shrimp constitutes the single largest share of India’s seafood exports, with frozen Vannamei shrimp dominating value and volume.
• Other export products include:
  • Frozen fish
  • Squid and cuttlefish
  • Crabs and other crustaceans
  • Value-added marine products

Improved cold-chain infrastructure and adherence to international food safety standards have strengthened India’s export competitiveness.

Major Export Markets

Traditionally, India’s top seafood export destinations have been:

• United States
• China
• Japan
• European Union
• Southeast Asian countries

However, policy and industry efforts in recent years have focused on reducing over-dependence on a single market, especially the U.S.

Institutional and Policy Support

• Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) plays a central role in:
  • Export promotion
  • Quality certification and traceability
  • Market access facilitation
• Government initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) have strengthened:
  • Fisheries infrastructure
  • Processing and cold storage capacity
  • Sustainability and disease control

News Summary: Export Performance in FY 2025–26

• During April–October FY 2025–26:
  • Export value rose by 16%, from $4.19 billion to $4.87 billion
  • Export volume increased by 12%, from 9.62 lakh MT to 10.73 lakh MT
  • This growth occurred despite higher U.S. tariffs, which led to a marginal decline in exports to the American market.
• Exporters offset this contraction by expanding shipments to:
  • China
  • Vietnam
  • Belgium
  • Malaysia
  • Germany
• Exports to China reached $845.67 million, reinforcing its growing importance.
• Vietnam emerged as a standout destination:
  • Over 100% growth in export value
  • Over 90% growth in export volume
• Belgium recorded nearly 90% growth, highlighting Europe’s rising role.

This trend reflects a clear eastward and European pivot in India’s seafood export strategy.

Sign of Sectoral Resilience

• Regular consultations between exporters, MPEDA, and ministries of Fisheries and Commerce have:
  • Identified new markets
  • Addressed non-tariff barriers
• Strengthened compliance with importing-country standards
• Officials have described the sector’s performance as a reflection of:
  • Improved competitiveness
  • Adaptive capacity
  • Reduced vulnerability to single-market shocks

Despite diversification, the U.S. remains India’s largest individual seafood market, underscoring the need to balance diversification with retention.

Analysis: Why This Matters

• Demonstrates the success of export diversification as a risk-mitigation strategy
• Strengthens India’s position in global seafood value chains
• Aligns with the broader Blue Economy vision
• Enhances resilience against tariff shocks and geopolitical trade disruptions

Way Forward

• Expand access to emerging markets in Africa, Latin America, and West Asia
• Promote value-added and ready-to-eat seafood products
• Strengthen sustainability, traceability, and disease management
• Enhance branding of Indian seafood globally
• Support small-scale fishers and exporters in meeting compliance costs