India's Marine Product Export Performance in 2025-26
India’s marine product exports achieved a record high of Rs 72,325.82 crore ($8.28 billion) in 2025-26. However, this growth is accompanied by underlying stress in key markets and value-added segments.
Export Statistics and Concerns
- The increase in export earnings is partly due to rupee depreciation rather than actual trade growth.
- The rupee weakened from Rs 85 to above Rs 90 against the US dollar, inflating rupee invoice values.
- Total exports were over 1.93 million tonnes, as per the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
- Frozen shrimp was the top export item, contributing Rs 47,973.13 crore ($5.51 billion).
Market Performance
- Despite being the largest market, the US saw a decline of 19.8% in volume and 14.5% in value for Indian marine products.
- Exports to China increased by 22.7% in value and 20.1% in volume.
- The European Union recorded a 37.9% increase in value and 35.2% in volume.
- Southeast Asia also showed growth with a 36.1% rise in value and 28.2% in volume.
Challenges and Strategic Insights
- The US market’s decline affects value-added products, impacting employment in coastal processing clusters.
- Trade with China and Vietnam focuses more on commodity demand rather than premium products.
- Emerging impacts of the West Asia crisis are anticipated in freight movement and insurance costs.
Beyond Shrimp: Other Marine Products
- Products like frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried marine items, and live products showed positive growth.
- Surimi, fishmeal, and fish oil also performed well, but chilled products faced challenges due to logistics.
