April 25, 2008

India reports EU as top seafood importer in 2007

The EU is the largest importer of Indian seafood products, accounting for 34 percent of the export value, according to a EuAsiaNews report.

Frozen shrimp is the largest export item, representing about 54 percent of total export value, said G. Mohan Kumar, chairman of India's Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

Last year, India exported over US$600 million worth of seafood products to the EU, with the UK, France, Germany, Belgium and Italy as the biggest importers, Kumar told EuAsiaNews.

Anwar Hashim, president of the Exporters Association of India (SEAI) said that health issues with the EU had been resolved.

India has improved its health standard as it is conscious of the EU control, said Hashim.

India exported US$1.8 billion worth of seafood products in during 2006-2007, said Kumar. MPEDA is currently targeting an export turnover of US$4 billion by 2012 and US$6 billion by 2017.

India currently has 230 EU-approved seafood export units.