01 June,2026 07:55 PM IST | Kochi | mid-day online correspondent
The seafood sector remains a major foreign exchange earner and a crucial source of livelihood for millions involved in fishing. Representational Pic
India's seafood exports reached an all-time high in both volume and value during 2025-26, highlighting the sector's resilience amid uncertain global trade conditions and strengthening the country's position as a key supplier in international markets, IANS reported.
According to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), India exported 19.72 lakh metric tonnes of seafood during the fiscal year, valued at Rs 73,890 crore (USD 8.46 billion), marking the highest-ever performance by the sector.
Announcing the figures, MPEDA Chairman P. Jawahar said the record growth was achieved despite several global challenges, including volatile demand patterns and market uncertainties, the news agency reported.
Frozen shrimp continued to dominate India's seafood export basket, accounting for more than two-thirds of total export earnings.
Shrimp exports generated Rs 49,038 crore (USD 5.62 billion), contributing 66.5 per cent of the total foreign exchange earnings from seafood exports.
Export volumes of frozen shrimp increased to 7.93 lakh metric tonnes, with the United States remaining the largest buyer, followed by China and the European Union.
The United States retained its position as India's largest seafood market by value, importing seafood worth USD 2.33 billion.
However, exports to the US recorded a decline in both value and volume compared to the previous year, reflecting changing market dynamics and pricing pressures.
Frozen shrimp alone accounted for more than 93 per cent of India's seafood exports to the American market.
According to IANS, China emerged as the largest destination by volume, importing 4.9 lakh metric tonnes of Indian seafood valued at USD 1.61 billion.
The European Union remained the third-largest market by value at USD 1.59 billion, followed by Southeast Asia at USD 1.35 billion.
Japan and the Middle East completed the list of the top six export destinations.
Among other products, frozen fish remained the second-largest export category, generating USD 644 million, while dried seafood emerged as a strong growth segment with a sharp rise in export earnings.
Exports of frozen squid and cuttlefish also posted healthy gains, reflecting increasing demand across key overseas markets.
The performance highlights the growing diversification of India's seafood export portfolio and the increasing importance of value-added marine products.
The seafood sector remains a major foreign exchange earner and a crucial source of livelihood for millions involved in fishing, aquaculture, processing and export activities across India's coastal states.
The top three ports handling seafood exports during the year were Visakhapatnam, Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Kochi.
