US remains major export market for marine products

United States remained the largest market for Indian seafood products with a share of 26.46 per cent in terms of dollar followed by South East Asia (25.71 per cent), European Union (20.08 per cent), Japan (9.11 per cent), other countries (8.58 per cent), Middle East (6.04 per cent) and China (4.02 per cent).

Exports to the US had recorded a growth of 16.94 per cent in quantity and 13.39 per cent in dollar realisation and are mainly attributed to the export of frozen shrimp, which showed a growth of about 17.49 per cent in volume and 12.87 per cent in dollar terms. Exports of Vannamei shrimp showed increase in US market by 21.71 per cent in quantity and 15.44 per cent in dollar realization.

Exports to South East Asian countries have shown positive growth of 7.86 per cent, 7.14 per cent and 7.26 per cent in terms of quantity, rupee value and dollar terms, respectively.

Exports to European Union have shown growth of 7.64 per cent, 9.56 per cent and 9.22 per cent in terms of quantity, rupee and dollar value, respectively.

Export to Japan recorded increase in terms of dollar value by 22.23 per cent. Export of frozen shrimp increased by 5.97 per cent in quantity terms and 11.32 per cent in dollar terms.

Export to Middle East countries has shown good growth of 11.32 per cent, 26.35 per cent and 22.17 per cent in terms of quantity, value and dollar terms, respectively.

Export to China decreased drastically, registering a negative growth of (-)21.46 per cent, 23.64 per cent and 24.45 per cent in terms of quantity, rupee value and dollar terms. All products, including frozen shrimps, frozen fish, frozen squid, frozen Cuttle fish etc have registered negative growth. Export of L. Vannamei decreased significantly by 47.45 per cent in quantity and 44.82 per cent in dollar terms. The weaker economic condition in China has lead to decrease in overall export to China.

Marine products were exported through 30 different sea/air/land ports. Exports improved from Vizag, Kochi, JNP, Calcutta, Tuticorin, Krishnapatnam and Mangalore compared to the corresponding period during the last year. Pipavav is the major port in terms of quantity (25.27 per cent) and Vizag is the major port in terms of dollar value (22.59 per cent).

MPEDA envisages export of marine products worth $6.6 billion during the year 2015-16. Increased production of L Vannamei shrimp, diversification of aquaculture species, particularly of Tilapia and Mangrove crab, quality improvement measures and increase in infrastructure facilities for production of value added items are expected to help in achieving this target.