India’s seafood exports reach record ₹73.89 billion in FY 2025–26

India exported 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT) of seafood worth ₹73.89 billion ($8.46 billion) in FY 2025–26, recording an all-time high in both volume and value despite difficult global market conditions, according to P. Jawahar, Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). Frozen shrimp remained the main export product, while the United States and China continued to be the largest markets for Indian seafood.

Frozen shrimp remained the leading seafood export during the year, contributing ₹49.04 billion ($5,624.48 million). It accounted for 40.19% of the total export quantity and 66.52% of total export earnings in dollar terms. Shrimp exports grew 13.16% in rupee value and 8.64% in dollar value during FY 2025–26.

India exported a total of 7,92,647 MT of frozen shrimp during the year. The United States remained the largest market for Indian frozen shrimp, importing 2,56,128 MT, followed by China with 1,69,505 MT and the European Union with 1,35,599 MT. Southeast Asia imported 83,810 MT, followed by Japan at 40,776 MT, the Middle East at 30,478 MT and other countries with a 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 seafood export item, generating ₹5.66 billion ($643.70 million). Dried seafood products ranked third, earning ₹5.08 billion ($577.44 million) and recording a growth of 78.05% in rupee value terms.

Exports of frozen squid reached 1,02,060 MT and generated ₹4.49 billion ($513.84 million). Frozen cuttlefish exports also increased in both quantity and value, growing 13.32% in volume and 16.25% in dollar value. Exports of frozen cuttlefish totalled 67,157 MT and were valued at $331.96 million.

Exports of chilled products earned ₹6.22 billion ($71.27 million), while exports of live seafood products grew 11.46% in dollar value terms to $62.43 million.

In overseas markets, the United States remained the leading importer of Indian seafood in value terms, importing seafood worth ₹20.26 billion ($2,328.74 million) and a total volume of 2,79,193 MT. However, exports to the United States declined by 10.82% in rupee value, 14.22% in dollar value and 19.51% in volume. Frozen shrimp accounted for 93.55% of the value of India’s seafood exports to the country.

China became the largest destination for Indian seafood exports in volume terms, importing 4,90,369 MT worth $1,611.32 million.

The European Union remained the third-largest market in value terms, importing 2,97,518 MT worth $1,592.09 million. Southeast Asia followed with imports of 4,51,756 MT valued at $1,348.97 million. Japan remained the fifth-largest importer with 1,05,228 MT worth $452.91 million, while the Middle East ranked sixth with imports of 76,743 MT valued at $283 million.

The top three ports handling seafood export cargo during FY 2025–26 were Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Kochi.