MPEDA works on seafood export markets
The Department of Fisheries has held a series of meetings with the Embassies/High Commissions of Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Russia for strengthening trade relations, value addition, quality assurance, biosecurity and quality compliance, cold-chain improvements, processing, automation, R&D collaboration, and training and capacity-building.
This update was given by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry on 12 Dec, pointing out that the Government has undertaken several initiatives to diversify markets and strengthen India’s seafood export sector https://www.commerce.gov.in/.
Overall, exports of seafood from India showed a healthy increase of 13.93% in value terms during the period from April to October 2025 compared to April to October 2024 – up from US$4,207.08 million to US$4,793.08 million.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), a statutory body under the administrative control of Department of Commerce, is actively working to diversify seafood export markets by mounting trade delegations, organizing Buyer–Seller Meets, and participating in major international seafood fairs across Asia and Europe.
Reverse Buyer–Seller Meets in Chennai and New Delhi in 2025 facilitated over 100 buyer–exporter interactions. MPEDA is conducting sensitization programmes on various FTAs to help exporters utilize new opportunities. Efforts are being taken by the Department of Commerce to fast-track FTA negotiations, especially with the EU, to resolve market-access issues, said the Ministry https://www.bseindia.com/.
MPEDA operates a financial assistance scheme for the setting up of a mini laboratory in an approved processing plant and handling centre registered with MPEDA for testing fishery products. Under the scheme, financial assistance is released at a rate of 50% of the total cost incurred, subject to a maximum of Rs.5 Lakh to the applicant. This scheme helps registered seafood exporters to implement effective in-process quality control. MPEDA has supported 8 units under the scheme during the past 5 years with total financial assistance of Rs.24.07 lakhs https://www.nseindia.com/.
MPEDA’s Value Addition Scheme supports the establishment and upgradation of export-oriented facilities for value-added marine products across all coastal regions. The scheme promotes investment in seafood value addition, thereby strengthening India’s presence in global markets.
During the last five years, MPEDA has supported 83 units with total financial assistance of Rs.10,189.91 lakh.
MPEDA implemented SHAPHARI certification programme aligning with FAO guidelines to ensure disease-free & antibiotic-free shrimp seed & farm produce and to promote Better Management Practices. Certified hatcheries and farms enhance the credibility of shrimp exports, with exporters using the certification as a trusted document in trade. 50% of the Audit & Testing cost will be borne by the MPEDA for hatcheries & there is no audit/testing fee to be borne by the farmershttps://sbi.com.in/.
Currently, 16 hatcheries and 344.21 hectares of farm area are certified under Shaphari, supporting high-health shrimp production in India. MPEDA operates a financial assistance scheme for enhancing disease free production and assuring quality of produce. The total assistance provided during the past 5 years is Rs.328.995 lakhs for 84 beneficiaries.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25, at a total outlay of Rs.20,050 crore.
Under this flagship scheme, 34,788 infrastructure units have been established with a budget allocation of Rs.2,403 crore. These include cold storage, retail and wholesale markets, fish kiosks, value-added product units, and post-harvest transportation facilities (refrigerated/ insulated vehicles, bikes, etc.) http://fieo.org.
Further, infrastructure support has been strengthened through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), which has supported 15 major projects worth Rs.208 crore, primarily focused on fish processing and cold-chain development.
The Department of Fisheries has conducted series of meetings with stakeholders for ensuring optimal utilization of Central Schemes such as Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund (FIDF) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) for development of modern infrastructure, cold chain, hatcheries, processing, and value-chain efficiencies.
In the 56th GST Council Meeting held on 3 Sept 2025, the Government has approved the reduction of GST rates from 12-18% to 5% on over 20 fisheries and aquaculture-related products such as farm equipment, feed ingredients, water conditioners, fishing nets and value-added seafood products etc. This measure is expected to lower input costs, ease operational expenses, and enhance production, value addition, and competitiveness of Indian seafood, the Ministry said. fiinews.com
