New Delhi, April 3: The central government announced on Friday that India’s fisheries sector has become a vital contributor to food security, employment, and export income. Since 2015, this sector has witnessed a record investment of ₹39,272 crore.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, the sector provides employment to approximately 3 million fishermen and fish farmers at the primary level, with nearly double that number benefiting across the entire value chain.
India has now emerged as the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer, holding about 8% of global fish production. Fish production in the country has increased from 14.164 million tons in 2019-20 to 19.775 million tons by 2024-25, reflecting an average annual growth rate of around 7%.
Moreover, seafood exports have more than doubled over the past decade. The export value surged from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to ₹62,408 crore in 2024-25, with shrimp exports contributing the most at ₹43,334 crore.
India now exports over 350 varieties of seafood to approximately 130 global markets. In 2024-25, the United States accounted for 36.42% of total export value, followed by China, the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East.
The share of value-added products in exports has also increased, rising from 2.5% to 11%, with a total value reaching $742 million.
To reduce reliance on select products, the government is promoting high-value species such as tuna, seabass, cobia, mud crab, tiger shrimp, and seaweed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Investments are also being made in cold-chain networks, modern fishing ports, and digital traceability systems.
India received ‘comparability’ status under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in 2025, ensuring uninterrupted seafood exports to its largest market.
The government is also rapidly implementing Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on shrimp trawlers in coastal states.
On the regulatory front, the sanitary import permit system has been fully digitized and integrated with the National Single Window System, reducing approval times from 30 days to just 72 hours.
In the next five years, the government aims to further boost value-added exports, develop inland export hubs, and strengthen India’s presence in markets like the UK, European Union, ASEAN, and West Asia.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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