India’s Seafood Exports Reach Record Rs 73,890 Cr in 2025-26

Kochi, June 1: India’s seafood exports touched an all-time high in both volume and value during the financial year 2025-26, with shipments reaching 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT) worth ₹73,890.46 crore ($8.46 billion), despite challenging global market conditions, according to Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

According to MPEDA, Visakhapatnam, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Kochi emerged as the top three ports handling seafood exports during the fiscal year.

Announcing the export performance, MPEDA Chairman  P. Jawahar, on Monday said the achievement reflected the resilience of the country’s seafood sector and growing demand in key international markets.

The United States and China continued to be the leading importers of Indian seafood, while frozen shrimp retained its position as the country’s top export product.

Frozen shrimp exports stood at 7,92,647 MT, generating ₹49,037.93 crore ($5.62 billion).

The product accounted for 40.19 per cent of total seafood export volume and 66.52 per cent of total export earnings in dollar terms. Shrimp exports recorded growth of 13.16 per cent in rupee value and 8.64 per cent in dollar value during the year.

The United States remained the largest market for Indian frozen shrimp, importing 2,56,128 MT, followed by China with 1,69,505 MT, the European Union with 1,35,599 MT, Southeast Asia with 83,810 MT, Japan with 40,776 MT, and the Middle East with 30,478 MT.

Exports of both Litopenaeus vannamei (Vannamei shrimp) and Black Tiger shrimp registered growth in volume and value.

Frozen fish emerged as the second-largest export category, earning ₹5,658.37 crore ($643.70 million), while dried seafood products ranked third with export earnings of ₹5,079.09 crore ($577.44 million).

Dried seafood exports recorded a sharp increase of 78.05 per cent in rupee value.

Exports of frozen squid reached 1,02,060 MT, generating ₹4,493.80 crore ($513.84 million).

Frozen cuttlefish exports also registered robust growth, increasing by 13.32 per cent in volume and 16.25 per cent in dollar value, with exports of 67,157 MT worth $331.96 million.

Chilled seafood exports earned ₹622.31 crore ($71.27 million), while exports of live seafood products recorded an 11.46 per cent increase in dollar value, reaching $62.43 million.

Among overseas markets, the United States remained the largest importer in value terms, importing seafood worth ₹20,263.27 crore ($2.33 billion) and accounting for 2,79,193 MT of shipments.

However, exports to the U.S. declined by 10.82 per cent in rupee value, 14.22 per cent in dollar value and 19.51 per cent in volume compared to the previous year.

Frozen shrimp constituted 93.55 per cent of India’s seafood exports to the U.S. in value terms.

China emerged as the largest destination by volume, importing 4,90,369 MT of seafood worth $1.61 billion.

The European Union remained the third-largest market in value terms, importing 2,97,518 MT worth $1.59 billion, followed by Southeast Asia with imports of 4,51,756 MT valued at $1.35 billion.

Japan retained its position as the fifth-largest importer, purchasing 1,05,228 MT worth $452.91 million, while the Middle East ranked sixth with imports of 76,743 MT valued at $283 million.

TNT TS