India Eyes 18 Bn USD Seafood Exports by 2030India Eyes 18 Bn USD Seafood Exports by 2030
India’s seafood exports saw a sharp 17.81 percent rise in April 2025, touching $0.58 billion, despite ongoing global trade uncertainties.
The Commerce and Industry Ministry reported that the country remains the fourth-largest marine product exporter, with continued momentum into the new fiscal year. In the financial year ending March 31, 2025, India exported 16.85 lakh metric tonnes of marine products—marking over a 60 percent increase. Export earnings rose to $7.2 billion, up from $5.4 billion in FY15, highlighting a decade of strong growth. The expansion comes even as the US, India’s largest seafood market, prepares for potential tariff hikes. However, bilateral trade talks between the two nations are reportedly progressing, potentially mitigating risks.
India now exports marine products to 130 countries, up from 105 in 2014-15. Frozen shrimp continues to dominate, accounting for over 40 percent of total export volume and 66.12 percent of export value, with China and the US leading as top destinations. Officials attribute the growth to the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which has bolstered the fisheries sector since FY 2020-21 through targeted investments worth Rs 20,050 crore. The scheme supports quality fish production, aquaculture expansion, traceability, disease management, and post-harvest infrastructure including cold chains and modern fishing harbours. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce, has also played a key role in monitoring and facilitating exports. As per MPEDA’s Vision Document 2030, India aims to achieve $18 billion in seafood exports by the end of the decade.
Officials say continued policy support and infrastructure upgrades are vital to maintaining India’s competitive edge in global seafood markets.
