How India Achieved Record Seafood Exports oF ₹73,890 Crore ?

India’s seafood exports reached an all-time high in both volume and value during the 2025-26 fiscal year. It is driven by strong demand for frozen shrimp and sustained imports from major markets such as the United States and China. According to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), India exported 19,72,018 metric tonnes of seafood worth Rs 73,890.46 crore in FY26. It marks the highest-ever performance for the sector. The United States and China continued to be the major destinations for Indian seafood exports during the year. Frozen shrimp remained the dominant export product, which accounts for 40.19 per cent of the total quantity exported and 66.52 per cent of export earnings in US dollar terms. In addition, Exports of frozen shrimp stood at 7,92,647 MT, valued at Rs 49,037.93 crore ($5.62 billion). During the fiscal year, shrimp exports rose by 13.16 per cent in rupee terms and 8.64 per cent in US dollar terms. Undoubtedly, the United States has the largest market for frozen shrimp, importing 2,56,128 MT, followed by China at 1,69,505 MT. Moreover, the European Union imported 1,35,599 MT, whereas Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East imported 83,810 MT, 40,776 MT and 30,478 MT, respectively. Exports of both Litopenaeus vannamei and Black Tiger shrimp grew in both volume and value.

Notably, Frozen fish emerged as the second-largest export category, earning Rs 5,658.37 crore ($643.70 million). Dried seafood products ranked third, generating nearly ₹5,079.09 crore ($577.44 million) and recording a sharp 78.05 per cent growth in value terms in rupees. Not only this, but the exports of frozen squid climbed to 1,02,060 MT worth Rs 4,493.80 crore ($513.84 million), whereas frozen cuttlefish exports stood at 67,157 MT valued at $331.96 million. Cuttlefish exports grew by 13.32 per cent in quantity and 16.25 per cent in value in US dollar terms. Exports of chilled seafood products generated Rs 622.31 crore ($71.27 million), whereas live seafood exports earned $62.43 million, registering an 11.46 per cent increase in value.

The United States remained the largest importer of Indian seafood in value terms, importing 2,79,193 MT valued at Rs 20,263.27 crore ($2.33 billion). But the exports to the US declined by 10.82 per cent in rupee value, 14.22 per cent in dollar value and 19.51 per cent in volume. Frozen shrimp accounted for 93.55 per cent of India’s seafood exports to the US by value.