In a boost to India’s export economy, seafood shipments shattered records in FY26, touching Rs 72,325.82 crore ($8.28 billion) in value and 19.32 lakh metric tons in volume. MPEDA’s latest provisional figures highlight the sector’s resilience amid global challenges.
Shrimp led the charge, contributing Rs 47,973.13 crore ($5.51 billion), or the lion’s share of exports. Official data from the Fisheries Ministry indicates shrimp volumes up 4.6% and values climbing 6.35%, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in this category.
While the US held its spot as top buyer with $2.32 billion in imports from India, volumes dropped 19.8% and values fell 14.5% due to escalating tariffs. Fortunately, diversification paid off: China’s imports surged 22.7% in value and 20.1% in volume.
The EU market exploded with 37.9% value growth and 35.2% volume expansion. Southeast Asian nations followed suit, up 36.1% in value and over 28.2% in volume. Japan notched a 6.55% value increase, but West Asia slipped 0.55% amid end-of-year instability.
Diverse products fueled the boom—frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried foods, and live seafood all advanced, alongside gains in surimi, fishmeal, and fish oil. Chilled segments lagged behind.
Key export hubs—Visakhapatnam, JNPT, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai—accounted for 64% of the value, proving their logistical prowess. Government efforts in fisheries development, aquaculture upgrades, and supply chain innovations are poised to propel this industry further, promising jobs and foreign exchange for years to come.
