June 9, 2006
Indian seafood exports up by 11 percent
Indian seafood exports in 2005/06 grew 11 percent in volume and 9 percent in value over the previous year, according to data from Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) released Thursday (Jun 8).
Total volume exported went up 11 percent from 461,329 tonnes in 2004/05 to 512,164 tonnes in 2005/06, while value increased by 9 percent.
While 145,180 tonnes of shrimp accounted for Rs.42.71 billion (US$930,000) of the total value, 182,344 tonnes of frozen fish accounted for Rs.9.98 billion (US$217,000).
Although EU and China each accounted for 27 percent of the volume in seafood products, the value of exports to the EU was more than twice that of those exported to China.
The US and Japan accounted for 11 percent each in volume.
The MPEDA is working out a programme to diversify products and thereby increase employment in the seafood industry from the present 1.4 million to four million in the country by 2010, said Ramesh.
As shrimps accounted for 60 percent of the earnings, Ramesh said this dependency should be re-allocated as there is fierce competition in the marine products export front.
MPEDA plans to increase the export of tuna and scambi. Tuna has a good global market, which has been neglected by the marine export sector, Ramesh said.
MPEDA has plans to start aquaculture in Gujarat, Orissa and Maharashtra.
The minister has asked the chairman of MPEDA to prepare a working scheme to give concessions on diesel prices to the fishing sector.
He said import of fish for re-export purposes, which most of the fishing community opposes, is inevitable and MPEDA has endorsed this measure to increase exports.
The MPEDA also plans to hold the third INDAQUA exhibition in Chennai in February next year in order to boost aquaculture activities
Tuna exploitation, diversification of aquaculture species and promotion of value-added products for increasing Indian exports have been highlighted as areas of growth by G Mohankumar, chairman of the MPEDA.
