January 10, 2014

According to a top official of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), India seeks a negotiated agreement on quality standard norms in seafood exports to Canada, reports Business Standard.

Unlike the Japanese, who have slightly altered their norms relating to the presence of ethoxyquin in imported shrimps, Canada, an important market for Indian seafood exports, is maintaining its strict controls, said MPEDA chairman Leena Nair. Talks with Canada are apparently in progress.

Indian exports had seen good growth until this fiscal year, when countries such as the US, Canada and Japan introduced new import regulations.

Japan revised its norms relating to antioxidant ethoxyquin (a food preservative and pesticide) in seafood, a move which would be beneficial for the Indian industry, said Nair.

During April-November 2013 seafood exports stood at US$3.2 billion, up from US$2.4 billion logged during the comparable period in 2012. However, in terms of tonnage, April-November 2013 saw a slide to 600,119 tonnes from the 613,998 tonnes shipped out during the same period the previous year.

During April-November 2012, frozen shrimp was the major export item in terms of quantity and value, fetching US$2.1 billion. It is followed by frozen squid, frozen cuttlefish, dried items, chilled items and others.

The government plans to continue with its freight assistance scheme, in order to encourage the Indian industry to go for value added products, said Nair.