Record Performance Marks India's Seafood Export Boom
India's marine product sector achieved an all-time high in fiscal year 2025-26, registering total seafood exports of ₹72,325.82 crore (equivalent to US$ 8.28 billion). Provisional data released by MPEDA confirms this impressive surge, reflecting the country's growing global prominence in the seafood supply chain. The total export volume for the period reached 19.32 lakh metric tonnes.Frozen Shrimp Drives Record Export Figures
Frozen shrimp emerged as the undisputed engine of this growth. The product category contributed a massive ₹47,973.13 crore (US$ 5.51 billion) to the total export earnings. This single category accounted for over two-thirds of India's total marine exports. Shipments of shrimp demonstrated robust performance, increasing by 4.6% in volume and a healthy 6.35% in value, cementing its market dominance.Market Diversification Offsets Traditional Declines
While the United States remains the top export destination, total imports into the US amounted to US$2.32 billion. However, the raw data shows a notable trend, as US shipments saw declines of 19.8% in volume and 14.5% in value, primarily attributed to reciprocal tariffs.This dip was successfully countered by vigorous growth in alternative markets. Exports to China, the second-largest destination, rose significantly by 22.7% in value and 20.1% in volume. The European Union also posted exceptional gains, boosting exports by 37.9% in value and a solid 35.2% in volume.
Emerging Markets Propel Value Growth
The trend of market diversification was evident across several key regions. Southeast Asia contributed substantially to the overall increase, recording growth of over 36.1% in value and 28.2% in volume. Similarly, Japan's market showed positive momentum, with exports growing by 6.55% in value.Overall, several individual markets registered strong double-digit growth. This underscores a strategic shift towards alternative buyers, successfully navigating trade headwinds encountered in traditional export corridors.
Product Mix and Infrastructure Highlights
Analysis of the product mix reveals positive momentum across several categories. Exports of frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried items, and live products all demonstrated positive movement. Furthermore, the crucial export of surimi, fishmeal, and fish oil reported improved overall performance.In contrast, chilled products showed a decline during the fiscal year. On the logistics front, key infrastructure remained critical. The top five ports, including Vizag, JNPT, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai, collectively handled nearly 64% of the entire total export value, underscoring their continued central role.
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