New Delhi :India’s fisheries sector has transformed into a key pillar of the economy, significantly contributing to food security, employment, exports, and sustainable livelihoods. Backed by a record investment of ₹39,272 crore by the Government of India since 2015, the sector now supports nearly 30 million fishers and fish farmers, with millions more engaged across the value chain.
Currently ranked as the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer, India contributes around 8% to global fish production. Over the past decade, the sector has evolved from traditional practices to a commercially robust industry, ensuring inclusive growth. This shift is reflected in rising output, with fish production increasing from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019–20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, marking an average annual growth of approximately 7%.
Seafood Exports Surge, Shrimp Remains Flagship Product
India’s seafood exports have witnessed steady expansion, growing at an average annual rate of 7% over the past 11 years. Export earnings from marine products have more than doubled—from ₹30,213 crore in 2013–14 to ₹62,408 crore in 2024–25.
Frozen shrimp continues to dominate the export basket, contributing ₹43,334 crore, followed by frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried products, and surimi-based items. India exports over 350 varieties of seafood to nearly 130 global markets.
The United States remains the largest importer, accounting for 36.42% of export value in 2024–25, followed by China, the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East. Meanwhile, value-added seafood products have gained traction, with their share rising from 2.5% to 11%, reaching export value of USD 742 million.
Diversification and Infrastructure Push Under PMMSY
To reduce dependence on limited export commodities, the government is promoting diversification under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Key interventions include expansion of aquaculture, promotion of export-oriented species, adoption of advanced technologies, disease control, and capacity building.
Focus is also being placed on strengthening post-harvest infrastructure, including modern fishing harbours, fish landing centres, and integrated cold-chain networks. Additionally, high-value species such as tuna, seabass, cobia, pompano, mud crab, GIFT tilapia, grouper, tiger shrimp, scampi, and seaweed are being promoted to enhance India’s presence in premium global markets.
Global Compliance and Sustainability Measures
India is aligning its fisheries sector with international sustainability and regulatory standards to safeguard export markets. A major milestone was achieved in 2025 when India secured a compliance clearance under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), ensuring continued seafood exports to the US beyond the December 2025 deadline.
Efforts are also underway to address restrictions on wild-caught shrimp exports through the deployment of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) across shrimp trawlers. Alongside, the government has introduced a national digital traceability framework to ensure food safety, transparency, and global compliance.
Ease of Doing Business and Future Strategy
To improve ease of doing business, regulatory processes have been streamlined. The Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) system has been fully digitised and integrated with the National Single Window System, reducing approval timelines from 30 days to just 72 hours. Several exemptions have also been introduced to facilitate trade and research.
Looking ahead, India aims to further strengthen its global seafood footprint by focusing on high-value exports, expanding into markets such as the UK, EU, ASEAN, and West Asia, and enhancing processing capabilities. Investments in cold-chain logistics, traceability, and certification systems are expected to support India’s ambition of becoming a reliable and premium seafood exporter in the coming years.