Beyond America: India’s Quest to Diversify Global Seafood Exports in 2025

Posted by Written by Archana Rao Reading Time: 5 minutes

In FY 2024–25, India emerged as one of the leading exporters of seafood products globally. Since the US imposed steep tariffs on India in August, the central government has begun to drive market diversification toward the European Union (EU), Japan, and Southeast Asia.

Leveraging abundant marine resources, a rapidly expanding aquaculture sector, and advanced processing capabilities, India is strengthening competitiveness, increasing value-added exports, and pursuing opportunities in the blue economy.

India is the world’s second-largest fish producer, accounting for 8 percent of global output. The sector sustains nearly nine million livelihoods, ensures food and nutritional security, and drives employment and income generation.

Over the past two decades, technological advancements, infrastructure expansion, and policy reforms have reinforced India’s leadership in fisheries and aquaculture. Economically, the sector is a key contributor to exports and trade balance—India ranked sixth in marine capture production in 2022 (3.59 million tonnes) and exported 1.78 million tonnes of marine products in FY 2023–24.

India’s seafood exports in FY 2024-25

According to the data of Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in FY 2024–25, India exported 342,534 tonnes of marine products to the US, valued at US$2.68 billion, with total global exports valued at US$7.4 billion.

Top 10 Destinations for India’s Fisheries Exports in FY 2024-25 (HS Code 03)

Rank

Country/region

Export (value in US$ million)

1

US

17,270.59

2

China

9,231.53

3

Japan

3,177.32

4

Vietnam

2,901.59

5

Thailand

2,618.73

6

Belgium

1,793.36

7

Spain

1,660.96

8

Italy

1,463.31

9

UAE

1,316.33

10

Canada

1,222.16

Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI.

India’s major seafood export items are as follows:

  1. Frozen shrimp
  2. Frozen fish
  3. Fish and shrimp meal and feed
  4. Frozen squid
  5. Surimi and surimi analogue products
  6. Frozen cuttlefish
  7. Chilled items
  8. Frozen octopus
  9. Fish oil
  10. Live items
  11. Dried edible items
  12. Frozen lobster
  13. Fish maw
  14. Others, including crab, agar, snail, baigai, clams, seafood mix, pickles, breaded products, and other processed seafood items.

Frozen shrimp has retained its position as India’s top seafood export, generating INR 400.13 billion (US$4.57 billion) in revenue. It accounted for 40.19 percent of the total export volume and 66.12 percent of overall earnings in dollar terms.

India’s Top Export Destinations for Frozen Shrimps and Prawns (Value in US$ Thousand)

Importers

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

US

1,810,609

2,580,491

1,888,485

1,811,831

1,882,571

China

572,493

744,198

872,443

762,540

752,181

Japan

307,899

351,452

330,797

268,972

280,876

Vietnam

183,785

258,107

291,434

248,756

245,297

Belgium

105,576

132,409

174,176

156,700

186,798

Canada

105,278

130,111

133,264

133,092

137,752

Russia

74,159

117,345

119,578

148,949

123,351

UAE

137,689

133,925

115,696

109,223

119,645

UK

101,750

129,239

122,265

109,867

86,601

Netherlands

81,662

108,175

117,715

79,126

67,913

Source: International Trade Map

India seafood exports to the US amid tariff disputes

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For the US, India remained the leading seafood supplier in 2024. India’s seafood exports, worth nearly US$1.92 billion in 2024, are led by shipments through major US ports such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Savannah.

US Imports of Fish and Crustaceans, Molluscs and Other Aquatic Invertebrates from India for Self-Consumption in 2024

US districts

Customs value in US$

Baltimore, MD

59,560,801

Boston, MA

35,079,148

Buffalo, NY

50,372

Charleston, SC

3,713,383

Chicago, IL

72,137,121

Cleveland, OH

108,177

Columbia-Snake, OR

8,474

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

489,627

Detroit, MI

36,326

Honolulu, HI

94,406

Houston-Galveston, TX

111,064,459

Los Angeles, CA

331,721,803

Miami, FL

148,188,637

Mobile, AL

3,394,286

New Orleans, LA

2,165,140

New York, NY

757,872,830

Norfolk, VA

39,484,799

Philadelphia, PA

245,885

San Francisco, CA

30,222,792

San Juan, PR

2,807,202

Savannah, GA

163,340,379

Seattle, WA

56,848,441

St. Louis, MO

5,766,720

Tampa, FL

95,415,120

Virgin Islands of the United States

24,667

Washington, DC

32,985

Total

1,919,873,980

Source: US merchandise trade statistics, US Department of Commerce, Census Bureau.

This trade relationship now faces mounting pressure after Washington imposed a 25 percent tariff on most Indian goods, effective August 7, 2025, with the potential that the rate will rise further to 50 percent. For seafood, the impact is particularly severe. The US has levied a steep tariff on Indian seafood, one of the highest across all export categories.

Before these changes, seafood exporters from India were subject to a total duty burden of 18.33 percent, comprising a 2.56 percent anti-dumping duty (ADD), a 5.77 percent countervailing duty (CVD), and a 10 percent reciprocal tariff imposed on April 2, 2025. Under the revised structure, the ADD has increased to 3.96 percent, the CVD remains unchanged, and the reciprocal tariff has been raised to 25 percent, inclusive of penalties.

Diversifying seafood export destinations 

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On August 11, 2025, the central government urged its seafood exporters to expand their market reach to destinations such as the EU, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Russia, Australia, West Asia, and Southeast Asia. The move is widely viewed as a tactic in ongoing India-US trade negotiations. 

The central government has directed exporters to diversify markets, enhance value addition, and upgrade packaging standards. It also encouraged them to utilize the Fishery Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) to modernize processing facilities, value-added production, and packaging capabilities.

Additionally, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) received instructions to collaborate with exporters in four major producing states, – Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, and Gujarat – to identify new market opportunities and high-demand fish varieties overseas.

FIDF, launched in 2018 with a corpus of INR 75.22 billion (US$859.82 million), aims to modernize and expand India’s fisheries infrastructure. It provides concessional finance through national financial institutions , state governments, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, and private investors. Under FIDF, financial assistance is provided for projects such as fishing harbor upgrades, landing centers, cold storage, processing units, and aquaculture facilities.

With repayment periods of up to 12 years and interest subvention, the fund seeks to boost exports, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance value addition, strengthening India’s competitiveness in the global seafood market.

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Tamil Nadu’s roadmap to become a global seafood export hub

On July 3, 2025, it was reported that the Tamil Nadu state government had set a goal of achieving US$5 billion in seafood exports by leveraging its 1,076-km coastline and expanding value-added processing capabilities. The plan focuses on positioning the state as a center for high-quality, processed seafood rather than relying solely on raw catch exports.

The state government’s industries minister, Dr. TRB Rajaa, highlighted that the initiative will involve building comprehensive infrastructure across coastal districts. This includes modern processing facilities, efficient cold chain systems, and export-grade packaging units to meet international standards.

Beyond boosting trade, the state aims to create sustainable livelihoods, raise incomes for fishing communities, and capitalize on opportunities within the blue economy.

India’s blue economy: An overview

India’s fisheries sector benefits from an extensive exclusive economic zone (EEZ) covering over 2 million square kilometers and extending 200 nautical miles into the Indian Ocean. Marine capture fisheries—particularly traditional and small-scale operations—play a pivotal role in supporting coastal livelihoods and contributing to national output.

Fisheries production and infrastructure

The country’s fishing ecosystem comprises of the following:

  • 3,827 fishing villages and 1,914 traditional landing centres
  • 10 major fishing harbours in cities such as Mangalore, Kochi, Neendakara, Vizhinjam, Tuticorin, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, and Raichak
  • 23 minor harbors and 95 designated fish-landing centers providing berthing and unloading facilities

Fishing practices range from traditional vessels—catamarans, dhonis, and dugout canoes—to modern mechanized trawlers, gillnetters, and motorized fiberglass boats. As of 2019, the marine fleet numbered 194,490 crafts: 37 percent mechanized, 37 percent motorised, and 26 percent non-motorized.

Inland fisheries and aquaculture have been the primary growth drivers, now contributing over three-fourths of national output.

Technology integration

The sector has also adopted advanced technologies to improve efficiency and sustainability. Key initiatives include:

  • Vessel Communication Systems for nationwide maritime safety and monitoring
  • Oceansat-based Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) forecasts to guide fishing efforts
  • GIS-based mapping of marine resources and landing centres for better resource management

These advancements are enhancing catch efficiency, reducing operational costs, and promoting sustainable fishing practices.

Regulatory framework

Fisheries management in India is governed by state-level Marine Fishing Regulation Acts, which enforce measures such as the following:

  • Seasonal fishing bans to protect breeding and spawning
  • Zonal restrictions for different vessel categories
  • Gear regulations to prevent overfishing

Conclusion

India’s fisheries sector stands at a critical juncture in 2025. While the US tariff hike poses immediate challenges, strategic diversification, value addition, and targeted infrastructure investments—supported by initiatives like the FIDF—can safeguard India’s global competitiveness. With abundant marine resources, technological advancements, and proactive policy support, India is well-positioned to sustain growth, strengthen its presence in emerging markets, and maintain its status as a leading player in the global seafood industry.

(US$1 = INR 87.48)

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