Kochi, Aug 23 (UNI) India exported 16,98,170 metric tonnes (MT) of seafood worth ₹62,408.45 crore (US$ 7.45 billion) during the financial year 2024-25, with frozen shrimp retaining its dominance as the country’s top export item.
Announcing the figures at a press conference here, DV Swamy, Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), said the sector registered steady growth, with the US and China continuing as the largest buyers of Indian seafood.
Frozen shrimp earned ₹43,334.25 crore (US$ 5.18 billion), contributing 43.67% of the total export volume and 69.46% of foreign exchange earnings. Shipments of shrimp rose by 6.06% in dollar terms and 8.30% in rupee value, reaching 7,41,529 MT.
The US remained the biggest market for Indian shrimp, importing 3,11,948 MT, followed by China (1,36,164 MT), the European union (99,310 MT), Southeast Asia (58,003 MT), Japan (38,917 MT), the Middle East (32,784 MT), and other countries (64,403 MT). Exports of Vannamei, Black Tiger, and Scampi varieties also showed growth in both volume and value.
Frozen fish emerged as the second-largest export item, fetching ₹5,212.12 crore (US$ 622.60 million), while frozen squid ranked third with exports worth ₹3,078.01 crore (US$ 367.68 million).
Dried items earned ₹2,852.60 crore (US$ 340.75 million), with exports pegged at 2,52,948 MT. Frozen cuttlefish also registered growth, with shipments of 59,264 MT worth US$ 285.57 million, up 9.11% in volume and 3.99% in value.
Exports of chilled items were valued at ₹659.41 crore (US$ 78.79 million), while live items grew 15.21% in dollar terms, earning US$ 56.01 million.
In terms of destinations, the US led in value with imports worth US$ 2.71 billion (3,46,868 MT), accounting for 92.55% of shrimp exports in dollar terms. China emerged as the top importer by volume at 3,96,424 MT worth US$ 1.28 billion.
The European union ranked third with imports of 2,15,080 MT (US$ 1.13 billion), followed by Southeast Asia (3,47,541 MT; US$ 974.99 million), Japan (1,02,933 MT; US$ 411.55 million), and the Middle East (65,956 MT; US$ 278.31 million).
MPEDA Director Dr. Ram Mohan MK and Joint Director (Marketing) S. Kandan were also present at the media briefing.
India’s seafood exports touch US$ 7.45 Billion in FY 2024-25
