Industry Odisha Bureau, Jun 1: India’s seafood exports achieved an unprecedented milestone during the financial year 2025–26, reaching an all-time high in both volume and value despite challenging global market conditions.
The country exported 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT) of seafood, valued at ₹73,890.46 crore (US$ 8.46 billion), according to P Jawahar, Chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
The United States and China continued to be the principal destinations for Indian seafood exports, while frozen shrimp retained its position as the flagship export product, he said.
Frozen shrimp exports generated ₹49,037.93 crore (US$ 5,624.48 million), accounting for 40.19 per cent of the total export quantity and 66.52 per cent of the total export earnings in US dollar terms. During the year, shrimp exports registered a growth of 13.16 per cent in rupee value and 8.64 per cent in dollar value.
India exported 7,92,647 MT of frozen shrimp during FY 2025–26. The United States remained the largest importer, purchasing 2,56,128 MT, followed by China (1,69,505 MT), the European Union (1,35,599 MT), South-East Asia (83,810 MT), Japan (40,776 MT), the Middle East (30,478 MT), and other countries collectively accounting for 76,351 MT. Exports of both L. vannamei and Black Tiger shrimp recorded notable growth in volume and value.
Frozen fish, the second-largest export category, earned ₹5,658.37 crore (US$ 643.70 million). Dried seafood products, the third-largest export segment, generated ₹5,079.09 crore (US$ 577.44 million) and registered a remarkable 78.05 per cent increase in value terms (₹), reflecting strong international demand.
Exports of frozen squid reached 1,02,060 MT, earning ₹4,493.80 crore (US$ 513.84 million). Frozen cuttlefish also posted robust growth, with export volumes increasing by 13.32 per cent and export value rising by 16.25 per cent in US dollar terms. Exports totalled 67,157 MT, valued at US$ 331.96 million.
The export of chilled seafood products generated ₹622.31 crore (US$ 71.27 million), while exports of live seafood products recorded a healthy growth of 11.46 per cent in US dollar value, reaching US$ 62.43 million.
Major Export Destinations
In value terms, the United States remained the largest importer of Indian seafood, importing 2,79,193 MT worth ₹20,263.27 crore (US$ 2,328.74 million).
However, exports to the US witnessed a decline of 10.82 per cent in rupee value, 14.22 per cent in dollar value, and 19.51 per cent in volume compared to the previous year. Frozen shrimp continued to dominate India’s seafood exports to the U.S., accounting for 93.55 per cent of the export value.
China emerged as the largest destination in terms of quantity, importing 4,90,369 MT of seafood valued at US$ 1,611.32 million.
The European Union retained its position as the third-largest market in value terms, importing 2,97,518 MT worth US$ 1,592.09 million. It was followed by South-East Asia, which imported 4,51,756 MT valued at US$ 1,348.97 million.
Japan remained the fifth-largest importer by value, purchasing 1,05,228 MT worth US$ 452.91 million, while the Middle East ranked sixth, importing 76,743 MT valued at US$ 283 million.
Leading Export Gateways
The top three ports handling seafood exports during FY 2025–26 were Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), and Kochi, underscoring their pivotal role in facilitating India’s growing marine exports.
India’s record-breaking seafood export performance reflects the resilience of the sector, sustained efforts by exporters, and the growing global demand for high-quality Indian marine products, further strengthening the country’s position in the international seafood market.
