Shrimp farmers and seafood exporters of the state on Tuesday welcomed the Budget announcement by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to reduce customs duty on shrimp by 5%.
“Reduction of customs duty on shrimp will boost the income of seafood exporters. In 2022-23, seafood, mostly shrimps (around 80%), worth Rs 4,550 crore was exported from the state.
Seafood exporters used to earn around $6 dollars for a kg of shrimp. Due to the reduction of customs duty, they will earn 5% more,” said Subhrakanta Mohapatra, state coordinator of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
“Shrimp farmers, trawler owners and other fishing workers will also earn more due to reduction in customs duty on shrimp,” he said.
“Commercial shrimp farming has become a vital part of the economy of nine coastal districts, including Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur,” said Mohapatra.
“Shrimp farming provides direct employment to around 3 lakh people. Govt should provide financial and other help to shrimp farmers,” said Nalinikanta Jena, a shrimp farmer.