August 13, 2009

Indian seafood exports during the first three months of current fiscal fell marginally from the corresponding period of last fiscal due to a decline in catch.

Provisional figures provided by the Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) reveal exports declined 5 percent, while value is lower by only 0.2 percent from the performance of Q1 of 2008-09. Dollar revenue shows a decline of 17 percent over the previous period.

Exports during April-June 2009-10 stands at 105,812 tonnes valued at Rs1644.48 crore (US$335.83 million) as against 111,368 tonnes valued at Rs1649.39 crore (US$405.41 million).

MPEDA said actual and final value of exports during the period may match or surpass the performance of the last period as provisional data does not include shipments from the Veravel port.

Shrimp exports were seen decreasing in volume and value terms during last fiscal due to the global crisis and competition from cheaper white shrimps.

Exports of frozen shrimps dipped 7.5 percent in volume and 4 percent in value, while the unit realisation of a kilogramme of shrimp exported dropped 7.5 percent during 2008-09.

Sources said export of squid and ribbon fish have fallen marginally during April-June 2009 due to trawling ban.

India exported 602,000 tonne of seafood products valued at Rs8607.94 crore during 2008-09, showing an increase of 11.29 percent in volume and 12.95 percent in rupee earnings.

US$1 = Rs48.345 (Aug 13)