US-China principal importers of seafood in FY2025-26
India exported 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT) of seafood valued at Rs.73,890.46 crore (US$8.46 billion) during FY 2025–26, registering an all-time high in both volume and value despite challenging global market conditions, said Chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), P. Jawahar.
The United States and China continued to be the principal importers of Indian seafood during the year.
Frozen shrimp remained the leading export item, contributing Rs.49,037.93 crore (US$5,624.48 million). It accounted for 40.19 per cent of the total export quantity and 66.52 per cent of the total export earnings in US dollar terms. During FY 2025–26, shrimp exports registered a growth of 13.16 per cent in rupee value and 8.64 per cent in dollar value. A total of 7,92,647 MT of frozen shrimp was exported during the year.
The United States remained the largest market for frozen shrimp imports from India, importing 2,56,128 MT, followed by China (1,69,505 MT), the European Union (1,35,599 MT), Southeast Asia (83,810 MT), Japan (40,776 MT), the Middle East (30,478 MT), and other countries combined (76,351 MT). Exports of Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei) and Black Tiger shrimp recorded growth in both volume and value.
Frozen fish emerged as the second-largest exported seafood item, generating Rs.5,658.37 crore (US$643.70 million). Dried seafood products ranked third, earning Rs.5,079.09 crore (US$577.44 million), and registered a positive growth trend of 78.05 per cent in rupee value terms, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said on 1 June.
Exports of frozen squid reached 1,02,060 MT, earning Rs.4,493.80 crore (US$513.84 million). Frozen cuttlefish exports also recorded growth in both volume and value, increasing by 13.32 per cent in quantity and 16.25 per cent in dollar value. Exports of frozen cuttlefish totalled 67,157 MT, valued at US$331.96 million.
Exports of chilled products earned Rs.622.31 crore (US$71.27 million), while exports of live products registered a growth of 11.46 per cent in dollar value terms, reaching US$62.43 million.
In terms of overseas markets, the United States remained the leading importer of Indian seafood in value terms, with imports worth Rs.20,263.27 crore (US$2,328.74 million) and a total volume of 2,79,193 MT.
Exports to the United States 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 the value of India’s seafood exports to the United States.
China emerged as the largest destination for Indian seafood exports in terms of quantity, importing 4,90,369 MT worth US$1,611.32 million.
The European Union remained the third-largest destination in value terms, importing 2,97,518 MT worth US$1,592.09 million. It was followed by Southeast Asia, which imported 4,51,756 MT valued at US$1,348.97 million. Japan continued to be the fifth-largest importer, with imports of 1,05,228 MT worth US$452.91 million. The Middle East ranked sixth, importing 76,743 MT valued at US$283 million.
The top three ports handling seafood export cargo during FY 2025–26 were Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), and Kochi, the Ministry said. fiinews.com
