KOCHI: India’s seafood exports touched a historic high of Rs 72,325.82 crore ($8.28 billion) in 2025–26, with total export volumes rising to 19.32 lakh metric tonnes, according to provisional figures released by the Marine Products Export Development Authority.
The data clearly shows that there was no decline in overall export quantity, with both value and volume registering growth during the financial year.
Frozen shrimp continued to dominate India’s marine exports, contributing $5.51 billion — accounting for more than two-thirds of total export earnings. Shipments of shrimp increased by 4.6% in volume and 6.35% in value, reinforcing its position as the key driver of export growth.
The United States remained the largest importer of Indian seafood, with purchases worth $2.32 billion. However, exports to the US declined sharply, falling by 19.8% in volume and 14.5% in value, largely due to the impact of reciprocal tariffs.
This decline was effectively offset by strong growth in alternative markets. Exports to China, the second-largest destination, rose by 22.7% in value and 20.1% in volume. The European Union recorded a significant surge, with exports increasing by 37.9% in value and 35.2% in volume.
Southeast Asian markets also showed robust expansion, posting growth of 36.1% in value and 28.2% in volume. Shipments to Japan grew by 6.55% in value, while exports to West Asia registered a marginal decline of 0.55%, attributed to regional instability towards the end of the financial year.
On the product side, apart from shrimp, exports of frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried items and live seafood registered positive momentum.
Value-added segments such as surimi, fishmeal and fish oil also showed improved performance, while chilled products witnessed a decline.
In terms of logistics, the major export hubs—Vizag, JNPT, Kochi, Kolkata and Chennai—together accounted for nearly 64% of total export value, underlining their continued importance in India’s seafood export supply chain, said MPEDA.