The state of Andhra Pradesh has yet again topped the charts in terms of seafood exports among all the states in India.
Andhra Pradesh by far emerged as the leader in marine product exports when compared to other seafood exporting states in the country. The state exported 347,927 tons of seafood worth a staggering USD 2.369 billion.
This is significant when one compares AP’s numbers to the overall Indian marine product export numbers.
India overall exported an all-time high volume 1,781,602 MT of Seafood worth US$ 7.38 Billion in FY24, of this USD 2.369 came in just from Andhra Pradesh alone. ‘Andhra Pradesh is the number one state in export of marine products from India.
The seafood exports from Andhra Pradesh constitutes a share of 20% by volume and 32% by value of the total marine products exported from India during the year 2023-24’ highlighted Mr D V Swamy IAS, Chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) to Vizag Industrial Scan.
Frozen Shrimp
Frozen Shrimp remained the major item exported from Andhra Pradesh in 2023-24 by volume (3.27 Lakh Tons) worth 2.3 billion value US$. The total export of Frozen Shrimp from Andhra Pradesh constituted 94% by volume and 97.55% by value from Andhra Pradesh.
Albeit in overall value terms (USD) exports from AP dipped compared to last fiscal i.e. FY23 wherein it exported USD 2.521 billion worth of marine products, the state saw an increase in exports for various product categories.
Export of ready-to-cook value-added products viz. IQF Peeled Deveined Tail-on and IQF Peeled Deveined Tail-Off Vannamei shrimp increased from Andra Pradesh.
Similarly export of cooked high-end value-added shrimp products under Chapter 16 viz. IQF Peeled Deveined Tail-on and IQF Peeled Deveined Tail-Off Vannamei shrimp topped in Andhra Pradesh.
Also export of Indian Black Tiger shrimps exhibited growth when compared to last year.
This indicated a comeback of Black Tiger Shrimp, once the leading species in the global shrimp market.
Export of Canned Chilled Pasteurized Crab Meat from Andhra Pradesh to USA, a premium quality ready to eat product registered good growth when compared with previous year.
‘Analysis of Andhra Pradesh export data indicates that there is a tremendous scope to increase export of ready- to- cook and ready-to-eat value added products’ noted Mr Swamy.
Pan India Exports Despite India exporting an all-time high volume 1,781,602 MT of Seafood worth US$ 7.38 Billion in terms of value USD it declined by 8.8%.
The FY 23 fiscal had seen Indian seafood exports register USD 8.09 billion which was an all-time high (value). Some of the factors that contributed to this dip in value is said to be the sluggish consumer demand in major export destinations due to inflation in the USA, EU, and UK markets and the issues with the Red Sea route.
Over the last 10 years marine products exports have gone from USD 5 billion to USD 8 billion in FY23 and USD 7.3 billion in FY 24(See line graph).
Frozen Shrimps Dominate
Frozen shrimp continued to be the major item of export in terms of quantity and value, accounting for a share of 40.19% in quantity and 66.12% of the total US$ earnings.
Frozen shrimp exports during the period increased by 0.69% in quantity terms from 711,099 MT to 716,004 MT however Frozen Shrimp exports declined in terms of US$ and unit value.
In value US$ terms, exports declined from US$ 5481.63 million to US$ 4881.27 million.
Top Export Markets
In terms of market USA and China were the major importers of Indian seafood (See bar chart). USA retained the title as the major importer of Indian seafood with a share of 34.53% in terms of US$.
China (excluding Hongkong and Taiwan) continued to be the 2nd largest destination for Indian Seafood with a share of 18.76% in US$ earnings. China imported 451,363 MT of Seafood, the largest volume of 25.33 %share, worth US$ 1384.89 million.
Vannamei remains King
The export of Vannamei shrimp in FY24 increased by 0.33% by quantity i.e. from 623,432 MT to 625,475 MT however, it declined in US$ terms (from US$ 4,809.99 million to US$ 4253.86 million).
Out of the total Vannamei shrimp exports, about 53.52% was exported to USA followed by 15.78% to China, 9.01% to European Union, 5.81 % to Southeast Asia, 3.41 % to Japan and 2.90% to Middle East, and 9.57% to Other Countries, in US$ value.
Need to assist Farmers
The industry has called for an urgent need to support and assist aquaculture farmers in the best possible manner. Failing which industry cautions could lead to decline in exports.
‘We could further see a dip in our seafood exports if corrective action isn’t taken immediately’ said Mr Pawan Gunturu, president of the Seafood exporters association India (SEAI) speaking to Vizag Industrial Scan.
Citing some industry specific concerns Mr Gunturu said ‘There is an imminent need to protect the primary producer in this industry which is the farmer. We need to give good quality seeds which in turn implies good quality broodstock.
We also urge both the central and state government to ease the burden on the farmer by bringing down the cost of feed, electricity and other ingredient costs related to production’.
