India recorded its highest-ever seafood exports in fiscal year 2025-26, shipping 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT) valued at 73,890.46 crore ($8.46 billion). The figures represent a historic peak in both volume and value, achieved despite a challenging global environment, according to P. Jawahar, Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
The United States and China continued to be the leading destinations for Indian seafood exports. Frozen shrimp retained its position as the dominant export product, contributing ₹49,037.93 crore ($5.62 billion). It accounted for 40.19% of total export volume and 66.52% of total export earnings in dollar terms. Shrimp exports grew by 13.16% in rupee value and 8.64% in dollar terms during the year, with total shipments reaching 7,92,647 MT.
The U.S. remained the largest market for frozen shrimp, importing 2,56,128 MT, followed by China (1,69,505 MT), the European Union (1,35,599 MT), Southeast Asia (83,810 MT), Japan (40,776 MT), and the Middle East (30,478 MT). Other markets together accounted for 76,351 MT. Exports of both white-leg shrimp (L. vannamei) and Black Tiger shrimp saw growth in volume and value.
Frozen fish ranked as the second-largest export category, generating ₹5,658.37 crore ($643.7 million). Dried seafood products followed, earning ₹5,079.09 crore ($577.44 million) and registering a strong growth of 78.05% in rupee terms.
Exports of frozen squid stood at 1,02,060 MT, valued at 4,493.80 crore ($513.84 million). Frozen cuttlefish also showed steady growth, with volumes rising 13.32% and export value increasing 16.25% to reach 67,157 MT worth $331.96 million.
Chilled seafood exports contributed ₹622.31 crore ($71.27 million), while live seafood exports recorded an 11.46% increase in dollar value, reaching $62.43 million.
In overall trade terms, the U.S. remained the top importer, with shipments valued at 20,263.27 crore ($2.33 billion) and a volume of 2,79,193 MT. However, exports to the U.S. declined by 10.82% in rupee terms, 14.22% in dollar value, and 19.51% in volume. Frozen shrimp dominated the U.S. import basket, accounting for 93.55% of total value.
China emerged as the largest market by volume, importing 4,90,369 MT worth $1.61 billion. The European Union ranked third in value terms with imports of 2,97,518 MT worth $1.59 billion, followed by Southeast Asia with 4,51,756 MT valued at $1.35 billion. Japan and the Middle East remained key markets, importing seafood worth $452.91 million and $283 million, respectively.
Among export hubs, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), and Kochi were the leading ports handling seafood cargo during the year.
Source : Logisticsinsider
