Kolkata: India’s Seafood Exports achieved a historic milestone during the 2025-26 fiscal year, reaching an all-time high in both volume and value.
India exported 19,72,018 metric tons (MT) of seafood worth ₹73,890.46 crore (US $8.46 billion), according to P. Jawahar, IAS, Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
The record performance underscores the continued growth of India’s Seafood Exports, with key international markets such as the United States and China maintaining their positions as major importers of Indian marine products.
Frozen shrimp remained the dominant export category, contributing significantly to overall export earnings and reinforcing its role as the backbone of India’s Seafood Exports.
Frozen Shrimp Continues to Lead Exports
Frozen shrimp accounted for 40.19% of the total seafood export quantity and 66.52% of total export earnings in US Dollar terms during the fiscal year.
A total of 7,92,647 MT of frozen shrimp valued at ₹49,037.93 crore (US $5,624.48 million) was exported.
The segment recorded robust growth, with shrimp exports increasing by 13.16% in Rupee value and 8.64% in US Dollar value. This strong performance played a pivotal role in driving India’s Seafood Exports to record levels.
The United States remained the largest market for frozen shrimp, importing 2,56,128 MT during the period. China followed with imports of 1,69,505 MT, while the European Union imported 1,35,599 MT.
Other major destinations included Southeast Asia with 83,810 MT, Japan with 40,776 MT, the Middle East with 30,478 MT, and other countries with 76,351 MT.
Exports of both L. vannamei shrimp and Black Tiger shrimp registered growth in terms of volume and value.
Also Read: India’s Seafood Exports Cross ₹72,000 Crore, Frozen Shrimp Leads Growth
Frozen Fish, Dried Products and Cephalopods Register Strong Performance
Frozen fish emerged as the second-largest export category, generating export earnings of ₹5,658.37 crore (US $643.70 million).
Dried seafood products became the third-largest export group, earning ₹5,079.09 crore (US $577.44 million).
The category witnessed a remarkable growth of 78.05% in value terms in Rupees, further contributing to the expansion of India’s Seafood Exports.
Exports of frozen squid reached 1,02,060 MT valued at ₹4,493.80 crore (US $513.84 million). Frozen cuttlefish exports stood at 67,157 MT worth US $331.96 million, recording growth of 13.32% in quantity and 16.25% in value in US Dollar terms.
Meanwhile, exports of chilled products generated ₹622.31 crore (US $71.27 million), while live seafood exports earned US $62.43 million and registered an 11.46% increase in value in US Dollar terms.
United States Remains Top Market in Value Terms
Among overseas destinations, the United States remained the leading importer of Indian seafood in value terms.
During FY 2025-26, the country imported 2,79,193 MT of seafood valued at ₹20,263.27 crore (US $2,328.74 million).
However, exports to the United States recorded a decline of 10.82% in Rupee value, 14.22% in Dollar value, and 19.51% in volume.
Frozen shrimp continued to dominate shipments to the US market, accounting for 93.55% of India’s seafood exports to the country in value terms.
Despite the decline in exports to the US, India’s Seafood Exports maintained overall growth due to increased demand from other international markets.
China Leads in Quantity Terms
China emerged as the largest destination for Indian seafood exports in terms of quantity, importing 4,90,369 MT valued at US $1,611.32 million.
The European Union remained the third-largest destination in value terms, importing 2,97,518 MT worth US $1,592.09 million. South-East Asia followed closely with imports of 4,51,756 MT valued at US $1,348.97 million.
Japan continued as the fifth-largest importer in value terms, purchasing 1,05,228 MT worth US $452.91 million. The Middle East ranked sixth, importing 76,743 MT valued at US $283 million.
The strong demand from these regions contributed significantly to the sustained growth of India’s Seafood Exports during the fiscal year.
Top Seafood Export Ports
The top three ports handling seafood cargo during FY 2025-26 were:
- Vizag
- JNPT
- Kochi
The performance of these ports supported the efficient movement of export consignments and contributed to the record-breaking achievement of India’s Seafood Exports during the fiscal year.
