KENDRAPARA: The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) department, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and other agencies have chalked out plans to strengthen seafood cold chain logistics in the state to support the crisis-hit seafood sector.
The move comes after the US recently imposed a 50 per cent tariff on seafood imports, dealing a major blow to exporters.
State coordinator of MPEDA Subhrakant Mohapatra on Wednesday said, “Frozen shrimp and fish remain Odisha’s top export items, with the US continuing as the largest market. At a high-level meeting on September 12, it was decided to establish additional refrigerated container (reefer) points at Paradip Port, enhance quality certification and quarantine facilities at port level, and create a dedicated seafood cargo corridor between Paradip Port and the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar.”
The MPEDA has also suggested introducing dedicated cargo flights and belly cargo space for chilled or live fish exports, besides setting up a perishable cargo handling centre with modern cold storage at BPIA. The authority has urged the government to tie up with airlines and freight forwarders to ensure smooth seafood shipments.
The meeting further proposed promoting direct international flights from Bhubaneswar to the Middle East and Southeast Asia seafood markets. It was also recommended that subsidies and financial incentives be provided to exporters using reefer containers and air cargo.
The MPEDA will also facilitate large-scale buyer-seller meets in Odisha with international seafood buyers. Discussions are underway with LuLu Seafood Group, a Gulf-based retail giant with a growing presence in India, including Odisha to boost seafood exports to Gulf countries.
The meeting was attended by Odisha chief secretary Manoj Ahuja, principal secretary of the MSME department Saswat Mishra, fisheries officers, chairman of Paradip Port Trust, customs and airport officials besides MPEDA representatives.