India's seafood exports fetch record $2.8 billion in 2010-11

Marine products export from the country have crossed $2.8 billion during the financial year 2010-11, with frozen shrimp accounting for over 44 per cent of the total quantity exported.

India exported 8,13,091 tonnes of marine products, of an aggregate value of Rs12,901.47 crore ($2,856.92 million), during the last financial year, figures released by the Marine Products Export Development Authority showed.

Seafood exports from the country grew 19.85 per cent in quantity, 28.39 per cent in rupee value and 33.95 per cent in terms of dollar earnings.

The increased production of Vannamei shrimp, increased productivity of Black tiger shrimp and better price realisation of major items like cuttlefish, shrimp and squid helped the country to gain such a higher export turnover, an official release said.

Frozen shrimp continued to be the major export value item, accounting for 44.17 per cent of the total dollar earnings. Shrimp exports during the period increased by 16.02 per cent, 36.72 per cent and 42.90 per cent in quantity, rupee value and dollar value, respectively.

Fish has retained its position as the principal export item in quantity terms and the second largest export item in value terms, accounting for a share of about 38.42 per cent in quantity and 20.42 per cent in dollar earnings.