The latest figures reveal that India’s seafood exports reached an unprecedented Rs 72,325.82 crore (approximately $8.28 billion) during the financial year 2025-26. This milestone is attributed to total export volumes of 19.32 lakh metric tonnes, as indicated by provisional data from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

Key to this remarkable growth has been the frozen shrimp sector, which has emerged as the primary driver of export earnings. It accounted for Rs 47,973.13 crore (around $5.51 billion), or over two-thirds of the total earnings from seafood exports. The volume for shrimp shipments saw an increase of 4.6%, while the overall value saw a rise of 6.35%, reinforcing its strong position in India’s marine products export portfolio.

Shifts in Export Destinations

While the United States maintained its status as the largest market for Indian seafood, imports from the region totalled $2.32 billion. However, recent trends show a decline, with shipments to the US dropping by 19.8% in volume and 14.5% in value. This downturn is largely attributed to the impact of reciprocal tariffs affecting trade.

In contrast, the Indian seafood sector has experienced robust growth in alternative markets. Exports to China, recognised as the second-largest destination, significantly increased by 22.7% in value and 20.1% in volume. The European Union also demonstrated strong demand, with exports soaring by 37.9% in value and 35.2% in volume. Additionally, Southeast Asia saw substantial growth, with an increase of over 36.1% in value and 28.2% in volume.

Exports to Japan noted moderate growth of 6.55% by value, while shipments to West Asia recorded a slight dip of 0.55%. This decline was largely influenced by regional instability experienced in the second half of the financial year. The data highlights a clear trend of diversification in India’s seafood exports, as various markets exhibited strong double-digit growth.

Product Categories and Logistics Insights

On the product side, the export landscape has shown varied performance. Notable growth was observed in the exports of frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, and dried seafood, which all recorded positive momentum. Conversely, chilled products experienced a decline in exports. Surimi, fishmeal, and fish oil have also reported improvements in their export performance, showcasing a diversification of offerings.

In terms of logistics and export infrastructure, the top five ports—Vizag, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai—accounted for nearly 64% of the total export value. This statistic underscores the critical role of these ports in supporting India’s seafood export supply chain, facilitating efficient shipment of products to international markets.

The latest data supports the notion that the Indian seafood export sector is adapting to changing market dynamics, as various segments and destinations are contributing to a robust export environment. The ongoing developments in the industry suggest a promising trajectory for future growth and diversification of India’s seafood offerings on a global scale.

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