The government highlighted that India’s fisheries sector has become a crucial contributor to food security, employment, and export earnings, with a substantial investment of Rs 39,272 crore since 2015. Supporting nearly 30 million fishers and fish farmers directly and double that across the value chain, India is now the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer, representing about 8% of global fish output.
Domestic fish production has shown significant growth, increasing from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, with an average annual growth rate of around 7%. Seafood exports have more than doubled over the past decade, reaching Rs 62,408 crore in 2024-25, driven mainly by shrimp exports valued at Rs 43,334 crore.
India has expanded its seafood exports to nearly 130 global markets, with the United States being the largest importer, followed by China, the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East. The share of value-added products in the export mix has increased from 2.5% to 11%, totaling $742 million.
To diversify exports, the government is promoting high-value species like tuna, seabass, cobia, mud crab, tiger shrimp, and seaweed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Investments in cold-chain networks, modern fishing harbors, and digital traceability systems are also being made.
India’s seafood exports to the US market have been secured with a comparability finding under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, ensuring uninterrupted trade. Efforts to equip shrimp trawlers with Turtle Excluder Devices are underway in coastal states. The digitization of the Sanitary Import Permit system has reduced approval time significantly, integrated with the National Single Window System.
Looking ahead, the government aims to enhance value-added exports, establish inland export hubs, and strengthen India’s presence in markets such as the UK, EU, ASEAN, and West Asia.
