Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi

Kochi, Aug 23: India’s seafood exports hit a major milestone in the financial year 2024-25, with a total of 16.98 lakh metric tonnes shipped globally, fetching Rs 62,408.45 crore ($7.45 billion), according to data released by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

Leading the charge once again was frozen shrimp, which contributed ?43,334.25 crore ($5.17 billion) – making up nearly 70% of dollar earnings and 43.67% of export volume. Shipments of shrimp saw year-on-year growth of 8.3% in rupee terms and 6.06% in dollar value.

The United States remained India’s top seafood customer, importing 3.11 lakh MT of shrimp, followed by China (1.36 lakh MT), the European Union (99,310 MT), Southeast Asia (58,003 MT), Japan (38,917 MT), and the Middle East (32,784 MT).

Among shrimp varieties, Vannamei, Black Tiger, and Scampi continued to perform strongly in both volume and value.

Beyond shrimp, frozen fish brought in Rs 5,212.12 crore ($622.6 million), while frozen squid earned Rs 3,078.01 crore ($367.68 million). Exports of frozen cuttlefish also saw an uptick, growing 9.11% in volume and 3.99% in value to reach $285.57 million.

Dried seafood products accounted for 2.52 lakh MT, worth Rs 2,852.60 crore ($340.75 million). Exports of chilled and live items brought in Rs 659.41 crore ($78.79 million) and $56.01 million, respectively, with live seafood recording a 15.21% increase in value.

In terms of markets, the US led in value, importing $2.71 billion worth of seafood from India — 92.55% of which was shrimp. China was the largest buyer by quantity, taking in 3.96 lakh MT worth $1.27 billion.

The European Union remained the third-largest destination ($1.12 billion), followed by Southeast Asia ($975 million), Japan ($412 million), and the Middle East ($278 million).

Among ports, Visakhapatnam (Vizag) and JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port) handled the bulk of India’s seafood exports for the year.