India's seafood basket: Exports remained flat at $7 billion in 2024-25; shipment volume dips

India’s seafood exports held steady at $7.45 billion in 2024-25, despite overall shipment volumes declining, the commerce ministry said on Saturday.

The country exported 16,98,170 tonnes of seafood last fiscal, down from 17,81,602 tonnes recorded a year earlier.

In 2023-24, the exports had been valued at Rs 60,523.89 crore ($7.38 billion), according to a ministry statement issued on June 19, last year.

"India shipped 16,98,170 tonne of seafood worth Rs 62,408.45 crore ($7.45 billion) during 2024-25," the ministry was quoted by PTI.

Frozen shrimp continued to dominate India’s seafood basket, remaining the top export in both quantity and value.

Shipments of shrimp fetched $5.17 billion, accounting for 43.67% of the total volume and 69.46 per cent of dollar earnings. Frozen fish followed with exports worth $622.60 million, while frozen squid brought in $367.68 million.

The United States retained its position as India’s largest seafood market in value terms, with imports worth $2.71 billion, up from $2.55 billion in 2023-24.

Exports to China stood at $1.27 billion, while sales to the European Union totalled $1.12 billion. Shipments to South East Asia were valued at $974.99 million, followed by Japan ($411.55 million) and the Middle East ($278.31 million).

Among ports, Vizag and JNPT handled the highest seafood cargo during the year.