Seafood exports to get boost as European Union (EU) approves 102 new fishery establishments

The European Union (EU) has approved 102 additional fishery establishments for the export of India’s marine products, taking the total number of EU-approved Indian seafood export units to 604, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) announced on September 11, 2025. This milestone is expected to strengthen India’s position in the European seafood market and mitigate the impact of US tariffs. The approvals follow sustained engagements by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Mr. Piyush Goyal and senior ministry officials with EU counterparts, alongside coordinated efforts by MPEDA and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) to enhance food safety standards across the seafood value chain. MPEDA Chairman Mr. D V Swamy said the inclusion of more units provides exporters opportunities to improve product quality, diversify offerings, and expand in key EU markets such as Belgium, Spain, and Italy. The upcoming India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade Agreement, effective October 1, 2025, will further facilitate market access to EFTA countries, including Norway and Switzerland.
India shipped 16,98,170 metric tonnes of seafood worth Rs. 62,408 crore (US$ 7.45 billion) in FY25, with frozen shrimp remaining the leading export by volume and value. EU-bound exports reached 2,15,080 metric tonnes worth Rs. 9,430 crore (US$ 1,125.6 million), led by shrimp, cuttlefish, and squid in frozen form. MPEDA’s initiatives, including Good Management Practices, traceability measures, Pre-Harvest Testing, and adherence to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) protocols, have reinforced India’s food safety credentials. Industry leaders, including Managing Director, Mayank Aquaculture Private Limited, Dr. Manoj Sharma, and Chairman, Island Exports, Mr. Santhosh Prabhu, welcomed the approvals, noting they will significantly boost India’s seafood exports to Europe and create opportunities for value-added products.

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