The North News
New Delhi, December 18
India’s marine product exports recorded strong growth in the first seven months of the current financial year, supported by government measures aimed at boosting trade and cushioning exporters against global headwinds, including higher tariffs in key markets.
According to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics under the Department of Commerce, marine exports between April and October 2025 were valued at ₹42,322 crore ($4.87bn), a rise of 21% compared with ₹35,107.6 crore ($4.20bn) in the same period last year. Export volumes also increased by 12%, from 9.62 lakh metric tonnes to 10.73 lakh metric tonnes.
The government said it is closely monitoring the sector and remains engaged with stakeholders to assess the impact of recent US tariff measures. Officials say a multi-pronged strategy is being pursued to protect and expand exports, including negotiations with Washington on a proposed India–US bilateral trade agreement.
Short-term relief measures include trade-related interventions by the Reserve Bank of India and a Credit Guarantee Scheme for exporters, alongside efforts to stimulate domestic demand through proposed next-generation reforms to the goods and services tax. Export promotion initiatives, including a new Export Promotion Mission, are also being rolled out to provide targeted support to exporters.
The government is simultaneously pursuing new free trade agreements and seeking better utilisation of existing ones. Officials say these efforts have helped increase the number of Indian fishery establishments approved to export to markets such as the European Union and Russia in recent months.
Longer-term growth is being driven by investment in the fisheries sector under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Over the past five years, projects worth more than ₹21,274 crore have been approved, with a central contribution of ₹9,189 crore, to support fisheries and aquaculture development. As a result, India’s seafood exports have more than doubled over the past decade, rising from ₹30,213 crore in 2013–14 to ₹62,408 crore in 2024–25.
The Department of Fisheries, working with the Marine Products Export Development Authority and other stakeholders, has also stepped up engagement with exporters and foreign partners. This includes awareness programmes on the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, consultations with industry, and meetings with foreign embassies and high commissions to explore new trade and investment opportunities.
The government is promoting diversified aquaculture, focusing on high-value species such as seabass, cobia, pompano, mud crab, tilapia, grouper, scampi and seaweed. Officials say efforts are under way to expand into new markets, improve value addition, strengthen quality and biosecurity standards, and boost research and development.
The details were shared by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
