India’s seafood exports hit a record high of Rs 62,408 crore in the fiscal year 2024-25, marking a 3.11% increase from the previous year. Simultaneously, fish production surged by 106% to 197.75 lakh tonnes during the same period. Despite the United States imposing steep tariffs on Indian seafood, the sector has displayed resilience and adaptability.
The US has progressively raised tariffs on Indian seafood since April 2025, with cumulative duties reaching 58.26% on shrimp exports, a significant portion of India’s seafood exports to the US. Nevertheless, India’s seafood industry has continued to grow, with exports rising by 21% in value and 12% in quantity from April to October 2024 to the same period in 2025. Frozen shrimp exports also saw a 17% increase in value and a 6% increase in volume.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying attributed the sector’s success to the implementation of various schemes and programs over the past decade. These initiatives have generated 74.66 lakh employment opportunities, both direct and indirect, since 2014-15. India now exports over 350 seafood products to 130 countries, with aquaculture contributing 62% of the export value, positioning the country as a hub for high-value processed seafood.
Value-added exports have played a significant role in India’s export basket, showing a remarkable growth of 56% over the past five years. The central government has significantly increased investments in the fisheries sector, with cumulative approvals or announcements totaling Rs 38,572 crore across schemes like Blue Revolution, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY).
