Indian seafood exports have seen a remarkable increase, rising to Rs 73,800 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26, up from Rs 62,000 crore the previous year, despite facing a significant 58% tariff imposed by the United States. This announcement was made by Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh during an event in Bhubaneswar, which marked the national launch of the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) aimed at promoting sustainable fishing practices in international waters.
During his address, Singh highlighted that the surge in seafood exports can be attributed to the various free trade agreements (FTAs) that India has established with multiple countries. “In the fiscal year 2025-26, we encountered a substantial hurdle when the US enacted a 58% tariff on our seafood exports. The US is a major market for Indian shrimp, accounting for over 40% of our total seafood exports. This situation created a wave of disappointment across the nation. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi motivated us to confront these challenges and seek effective solutions,” Singh stated.
Official data indicates that India exported approximately 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT) of seafood valued at Rs 73,890 crore (USD 8.46 billion) in the 2025-26 financial year. This marks a record high in both quantity and monetary value, achieved despite a tough global market landscape.
Throughout the year, the United States and China remained the leading importers of Indian seafood, with frozen shrimp being the top export item, contributing Rs 49,037 crore to the overall figures.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan officiated the program’s launch and distributed the LoA to various fisheries cooperative organizations, including the National Cooperative Exports Limited and fishing vessel operators. This initiative permits qualified Indian-flagged vessels to engage in regulated fishing activities in international waters.
Currently, most fishing operations are conducted within 40-50 nautical miles of the Indian coast. However, the Union government has established a framework to promote sustainable fishing practices in the Indian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and high seas, recognizing the significant potential for harvesting high-value species like tuna in deeper waters beyond national jurisdiction.
“For many years, our fishing endeavors have primarily been confined to coastal areas. With today’s program launch, we are poised to explore opportunities further offshore,” said the Vice President.
Commenting on the growth of seafood exports, Radhakrishnan expressed that this trend reflects the global acceptance of Indian seafood quality. “The international market now trusts the quality of our seafood, and I am confident that our best achievements are still ahead,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, the Vice President introduced the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission, designed to harness the deep-sea fishing potential along the state’s extensive 575-km coastline.
