Introduction
India is the world’s second-largest fish producer, and the fisheries sector continues to be an important part of India’s food supply, rural economy and export ecosystem. As per the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, India’s fish production reached a record 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY25 comprising 151.60 lakh tonnes (15.16 million tonnes) from inland fisheries and 46.15 lakh tonnes (4.62 million tonnes) from marine fisheries, up from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY14, registering a 106% increase. The fisheries sector contributes 1.12% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and supports the livelihoods of nearly 30 million (3 crore) fishers and fish farmers. Government schemes and programmes implemented since 2014-15 have generated 74.66 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities across the fisheries value chain. India’s seafood exports also reached Rs. 73,890 crore (US$ 8.36 billion) in FY26, highlighting the sector’s growing contribution to export earnings.
India Marine and Inland Fish production (million tons)
Source: Department of Fisheries, Press Information Bureau
India has a broad fish production base across inland and marine fisheries, with Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat emerging as the leading fish-producing states in 2024-25. Andhra Pradesh was the largest producer with 55.39 lakh tonnes, followed by West Bengal at 23.74 lakh tonnes, Uttar Pradesh at 13.31 lakh tonnes, Odisha at 11.92 lakh tonnes and Gujarat at 10.43 lakh tonnes. Other major fish-producing states included Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
Export Trend
Export trend of marine products from India (values in US$ million)
Source: Marine Product Export Development Authority, Ministry of Commerce
Note: FY27*- April to July 2026
India’s marine product exports have maintained a growth trajectory, supported by sustained global demand. During FY26, marine product exports reached US$ 8.43 billion, compared with US$ 7.41 billion in FY25. During April-July FY27, exports stood at US$ 2.89 billion, registering 11.22% year-on-year growth over the corresponding period of FY26, according to the latest trade data.
The growth in marine product exports reflects continued demand across major international markets, supported by India's strong aquaculture and fisheries base. Frozen shrimp remains the dominant product in India's marine export basket, accounting for 40.19% of total export volume and 66.52% of total export earnings in FY26. Other major export categories include frozen fish, dried seafood, frozen squid, frozen cuttlefish, and live and chilled seafood products. The sector continues to benefit from diversification into markets such as the US, China, the European Union and Southeast Asia.
Major Export Markets
India’s marine product exports continued to witness strong demand across major global markets during April-July FY2026-27, with the USA remaining the largest export destination. Marine product exports to the USA were valued at US$ 981.05 million, accounting for 33.95% of India’s marine product exports during the period. China was the second-largest market at US$ 511.44 million (17.70%), followed by Vietnam at US $ 222.54 million (7.70%). Together, these three markets accounted for 59.35% of India’s marine product exports during April-July FY27.
Other major export destinations included Japan, with exports valued at US$ 167.58 million (5.80%), followed by Russia at US$ 79.95 million (2.77%), Thailand at US$ 76.76 million (2.66%), Canada at US$ 73.52 million (2.54%), Belgium at US$ 66.40 million (2.30%), Spain at US$ 60.84 million (2.11%) and Italy at US$ 60.13 million (2.08%). Other destinations collectively accounted for 20.39% of India's marine product exports during the period.
Region-wise share of total marine products export value for FY27(April to July 2026)
Source: DGCIS
Government Initiatives
The Union Budget 2026-27 proposed the highest-ever annual budgetary support of Rs. 2,761.80 crore (US$ 290.8076 million) for the fisheries sector, including Rs. 2,515.6 crore (US$ 264.89 million) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The Government has continued to strengthen fisheries infrastructure, market access, financial inclusion and technology adoption across the value chain. As of August 2026, PMMSY had approved fisheries and aquaculture projects worth Rs. 21,394.88 crore (US$ 2.27 billion), including a Central share of Rs. 9,592 crore (US$ 1.01 billion). The scheme has supported 52,058 reservoir cages, 23,285 hectares of pond area, 28,489 fish transportation and handling units, 775 cold storages and ice plants, and 6,018 fish kiosks. Modern aquaculture technologies have also expanded, with 12,081 Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and 4,205 Bio-floc units approved under PMMSY.
Under Union Budget 2026-27, the Government announced the integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars to tap additional fisheries potential and strengthen inland fisheries infrastructure. The initiative includes quality seed production, cage and pen culture, fish feed and cold-storage facilities, fish markets and value-added units, while promoting the participation of women-led groups, fisheries cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs). In addition, 34 fisheries and aquaculture clusters have been notified under PMMSY, while integrated development of 23 reservoirs has been approved. The Government has also introduced the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 and High Seas Guidelines to support sustainable fishing, traceability and better market access.
India-UK Free Trade Agreement
India and the UK’s Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force on 15 July 2026, providing preferential market access for Indian seafood exports to the UK. Under the agreement, 100% duty-free access is available for fish and fisheries commodities covered under the UK tariff schedule's ‘A’ category, including shrimp, squid, lobster, fish, cuttlefish, fish oils and prepared or preserved seafood. These products previously faced tariffs ranging from 0% to 21.5%.
The UK remains an important market for Indian seafood, with India's marine and fishery product exports to the UK currently valued at around US$ 128 million, while the UK seafood market is estimated at nearly US$ 6 billion. The first seafood consignments under CETA were flagged off in July 2026, marking the beginning of preferential market access for Indian exporters. Industry estimates made at the time of the agreement projected that India's marine exports to the UK could increase by around 70% in the coming years.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) was established in FY2018-19 by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, to address infrastructure gaps in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The fund has a total size of Rs. 7,597.6 crore (US$ 800.0 million) and provides concessional finance to eligible entities, including State Governments, Union Territories, State entities and other eligible stakeholders, for developing identified fisheries infrastructure. Financing is provided through Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs), including NABARD, NCDC and scheduled banks, with the Department of Fisheries providing interest subvention of up to 3% per annum.
As of March 2026, FIDF had approved 228 projects with a total project cost of Rs. 5,559.54 crore (US$ 591.6 million), with Rs. 4,351.86 crore (US$ 463.4 million) eligible for interest subvention. Nodal Loaning Entities had sanctioned loans worth Rs. 4,212.05 crore (US$ 448.5 million) for 111 projects, of which Rs. 1,600.56 crore (US$ 170.5 million) had been disbursed. 68 projects had been completed, while the remaining projects were at various stages of implementation.
Government Body
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), established in 1972 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is the nodal agency responsible for promoting and developing India’s marine products sector with a focus on exports. It supports the entire value chain from aquaculture and processing to quality control and marketing while ensuring compliance with international standards. The authority also focuses on research and development, infrastructure development, and value addition, and advises the central government on setting standards for fishing vessels, storage facilities, processing plants, and related logistics. MPEDA plays a key role in enhancing seafood exports and strengthening India’s position in the global seafood market.
Department of Fisheries (DoF)
The Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Government of India, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, was established in 2019 following the bifurcation of the fisheries division from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. It is responsible for formulating policies and implementing schemes for the development and sustainable management of inland, marine, and coastal fisheries resources, as well as overseeing various fisheries institutes. The department focuses on enhancing fish production and productivity, improving infrastructure such as fishing harbours and landing centres, promoting responsible and sustainable fishing practices, and supporting the socio-economic welfare of fishermen and fish farmers. It also undertakes data collection, regulation, and surveys to ensure overall sectoral growth and strengthen India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
FAQs
Frozen shrimp is the largest contributor to India’s marine exports, accounting for 66.52% of total export earnings and 40.19% of export volume in FY26. Other major seafood exports include frozen fish, dried seafood, frozen squid, frozen cuttlefish, and live and chilled seafood products.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) promotes seafood exports from India through brand promotion, exporter enrolment, importer liaison, training and awareness programmes. It also participates in international trade fairs, organises Buyer-Seller Meets and Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets, and works with Indian Missions to explore new markets.
Tamil Nadu is a major contributor to India’s marine product exports, supported by its strong shrimp farming, processing and export ecosystem. The state exported 1,07,659 tonnes of marine products worth Rs. 5,744.56 crore in FY25, increasing to 1,25,332 tonnes worth Rs. 6,323.79 crore during April-January FY26.
Shrimp farming is a major driver of India’s marine export industry, with frozen shrimp accounting for 66.52% of marine export earnings in FY26. During April-January FY26, frozen shrimp exports increased to 659,600 tonnes valued at Rs. 41,018.30 million, from 622,182 tonnes valued at Rs. 36,029.38 million in the corresponding FY25 period.
The USA is the largest market for India’s marine exports, accounting for 33.95% of exports during April-July FY27 at US$ 981.05 million. China followed with US$ 511.44 million, while Vietnam accounted for US$ 222.54 million. Together, these three markets represented 59.35% of exports.
India is seeking to increase the share of value-added seafood in its export basket through processing infrastructure and easier access to inputs. The Government raised the duty-free import limit for specified seafood-processing inputs from 1% to 3% of the previous year’s FOB export value, supporting greater value addition and export competitiveness.
The Government is supporting marine exports through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund, which promote aquaculture, technology, disease management, processing and post-harvest infrastructure. In FY27, the fisheries sector received its highest-ever annual budgetary support of US$ 290.80 million.
Cold-chain and processing infrastructure are improving India’s seafood export capabilities by reducing post-harvest losses and supporting quality and value addition. Under PMMSY, 775 cold storages and ice plants and 28,489 fish transportation and handling units had been supported, alongside modern aquaculture and processing infrastructure.
Market diversification, value-added seafood, aquaculture and preferential trade access are creating opportunities for Indian exporters. India-UK CETA, which entered into force in July 2026, provides duty-free access for several fisheries products, including shrimp, squid, lobster, fish and cuttlefish covered under the relevant UK tariff category.
India’s marine export industry has scope to expand through aquaculture, value addition, modern infrastructure and market diversification. Marine exports reached US$ 8.43 billion in FY26 and US$ 2.89 billion during April-July FY27, registering 11.22% year-on-year growth, supported by global seafood demand and India’s strong fisheries base.
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MPEDA House, P.B.No.4272, Panampilly Avenue,
Panampilly Nagar P.O.,
Kochi - 682 036
Kerala
India
Tel.:+91-484-2311901
Fax:+91-484-2313361
Email: Email:ho@mpeda.gov.in
Website: https://mpeda.gov.in
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