India exported 16,98,170 metric tonnes of seafood worth ₹62,408.45 crore ($7.45 billion) during the financial year 2024-25, with frozen shrimp continuing to dominate the country’s export basket. The United States and China emerged as the top importers, according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
Frozen shrimp alone fetched ₹43,334.25 crore ($5.17 billion), accounting for 43.67% of export volume and nearly 70% of the dollar earnings. Exports of shrimp rose by 8.3% in rupee value and 6.06% in dollar terms compared to the previous year. The US remained the largest buyer, importing 3,11,948 MT of frozen shrimp, followed by China with 1,36,164 MT, the European Union with 99,310 MT, South East Asia with 58,003 MT, Japan with 38,917 MT, the Middle East with 32,784 MT, and other destinations together accounting for 64,403 MT.
Varieties including Vannamei, Black Tiger and Scampi showed growth in both quantity and value.
Other major contributors to seafood exports included frozen fish, which earned ₹5,212.12 crore ($622.6 million), and frozen squid, which brought in ₹3,078.01 crore ($367.68 million). Frozen cuttlefish exports grew by 9.11% in volume and 3.99% in dollar value, touching $ 285.57 million. Dried items contributed 2,52,948 MT worth ₹2,852.60 crore ($340.75 million), while chilled and live seafood products added ₹659.41 crore ($78.79 million) and $56.01 million respectively, with live items recording a 15.21% growth in value.
The US remained the leading market in value terms, importing $ 2.71 billion worth of seafood from India, of which shrimp accounted for 92.55%.
