February 28, 2007

 

Indian seafood exports up by more than 10 percent in 2006

 

 

The value of Indian seafood exports increased more than 10 percent for 2006, rising from Rs 5,604.9 crore in 2005 to Rs 6,341 crore in 2006.

 

Export volumes also grew more than 10 percent from 395,901 tonnes in 2005 to

447,560 tonnes in 2006.

 

Excluding the slight decline in frozen shrimp and dried fish exports, total realisation from all other seafood exports were up.

 

Export volume of high-value shrimp fell. Shrimp continued to account for the highest share in value, accounting for 56 per cent of total earnings.

 

Despite a slight fall in quantity to 106,121 tonnes from 111,508 tonnes, the total value went up to Rs 3,544.84 crore from Rs 3,317.37 crore.

 

Although frozen fish had the highest share (44 percent) in volume, it only accounted for 17 percent of export value. However, the product saw a 33 percent growth in volume and 31 percent growth in value last year.

 

Exports to all regions other than the US and South-East Asia continued to grow.

 

The EU accounted for nearly a quarter of the Indian seafood volume exported. Volume this year went up 8.15 percent to 108,671 tonnes, with value going up 32 percent.

 

On the other hand, exports to the US declined sharply. Volume fell by 24 per cent to 34,321 tonnes from 44,848 tonnes last year.

 

Exports to Japan fell nearly 20 percent in value to Rs 1,093 crore from Rs 1,322 crore in 2005. Although Japan accounted for only 11 percent of Indian seafood exports, it accounted for 16.95 percent by value.