The amount is a 14.5% rise from 2015.

 

India's export of value-added shrimps increased by a significant 130% - from 10,100 tonnes in 2015 to 23,400 tonnes in 2016. While most of the exports were bound for the US, the country's other key markets are Vietnam, the EU and Japan.

 

Overall, India delivered 1,134,948 tonnes of seafood, amounting to a record value of $5.78 billion in 2016-17, a higher number compared to $4.69 billion (9,45,892 tonnes) a year earlier, the Business Standard reported.

 

The country's stellar performance came despite the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rejection of 95 Indian shrimp consignments - due to concerns of antibiotics use - and worries over a ban by the EU, which is India's third biggest market.

 

The Globefish report adds that Indian exports to the EU dropped in 2016 as the EU Veterinary Authority imposed more quality checks on Indian farmed shrimps, "from 10 to 50 percent". The move also sparked off additional costs for importers, leading to a "diversification of shipments to other markets." 

 

Other top shrimp exporters last year include Vietnam (425,000 tonnes), Ecuador (372,600 tonnes), Indonesia (220,000 tonnes) and Thailand (209,000 tonnes).