The Andhra Pradesh government has advised aqua farmers in the state not to panic over the potential impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on the aquaculture sector. State Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu urged shrimp farmers to avoid hasty harvesting in response to fears about seafood exports being affected by the Gulf region conflict. He reassured farmers during a video conference with various aquaculture committees that the situation is not likely to significantly impact India’s seafood exports.
Minister Atchannaidu highlighted that only a small percentage of India’s seafood exports head to the Middle East, primarily through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that seafood shipments to other key markets like the European Union, the United States, Japan, and China are unaffected by the conflict, as they use alternative shipping routes. The Minister also mentioned expectations of improved demand in the US market by the end of March 2026, particularly after the Seafood Expo North America in Boston.
Furthermore, Atchannaidu pointed out that the US tariffs on Indian shrimp are comparable to those on shrimp from other competing countries, ensuring India’s competitiveness in the global seafood export market. He dispelled rumors of a container shortage affecting exports, confirming that Andhra Pradesh has not faced any container-related export disruptions. Regular review meetings are planned to monitor the export situation and offer timely advice to farmers.
The Minister emphasized the importance of not succumbing to panic or premature harvesting, as it could lead to market oversupply, causing shrimp prices to drop and farmers to incur financial losses. He advised farmers to harvest at the right time as per their cultivation plans, in consultation with exporters and fisheries officials. The state government is actively monitoring international fisheries developments to facilitate uninterrupted seafood exports by collaborating with exporters and processing units.
