Indian Economy News

India’s Seafood Exports Reach Record High of US$ 8.46 billion in 2025-26

India’s seafood exports reached an all-time high in 2025-26, with shipments of 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT) valued at Rs. 73,890.46 crore (US$ 8.46 billion), according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). The achievement highlights the resilience and competitiveness of India’s marine products sector amid challenging global market conditions. The United States and China remained the leading importers of Indian seafood during the year. Frozen shrimp continued to dominate the export basket, generating Rs. 49,037.93 crore (US$ 5.62 billion) and accounting for 40.19% of total export volume and 66.52% of export earnings in US dollar terms. Shrimp exports recorded growth of 13.16% in rupee value and 8.64% in dollar value. India exported 7,92,647 MT of frozen shrimp, with the US emerging as the largest market, followed by China, the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East. Exports of both Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei) and Black Tiger shrimp registered growth in volume and value.

Frozen fish emerged as the second-largest seafood export category, earning Rs. 5,658.37 crore (US$ 646.70 million), while dried seafood products generated Rs. 5,079.09 crore (US$ 580.44 million), recording strong growth of 78.05% in rupee value terms. Exports of frozen squid earned Rs. 4,493.80 crore (US$ 513.84 million), while frozen cuttlefish exports reached Rs. 2,906.64 crore (US$ 331.96 million). Chilled products generated Rs. 622.31 crore (US$ 71.07 million), and live product exports rose to Rs. 546.64 crore (US$ 62.43 million). In market terms, the US remained the largest importer by value, importing seafood worth Rs. 20,263.27 crore (US$ 2.33 billion), while China led in volume with imports of 4,90,369 MT. The European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East also remained key destinations. Visakhapatnam, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Kochi were the top three ports handling seafood export cargo during 2025-26.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.