Shrimp seed exports from the port city airport are increasing. Around 1.5 lakh kilogram of shrimp seed are being exported to Europe and Gulf nations. Traders from other states who have been earning profits from shrimp sales, have been purchasing shrimps seeds from AP, especially those from north region of the state.
Previously, around 1,500 kg of shrimp seeds were exported from Visakhapatnam airport. However, now between 1.5 and 2.5 lakh kg are exported, during this season. There is no dedicated cargo flight from Vizag airport at present. Hence, the exports are being transported via passenger aircraft, as each domestic flight has special arrangements for cargo.
“Most of the cargo exports from the port city airport are marine products, with more than 84% being shrimp seeds. Of this, Vizag holds a lion’s share (80%), while Vijayawada and Rajahmundry share the remaining 20%,” said KRM Raju, an exporter.
Raja Reddy, airport director, said that a majority of exports from Vizag are shrimp seeds.
“Whenever the demand is high and there is no space in the cargo area, we allow the shrimp seed cargo in tightly sealed boxes on seats in passenger flights. There was a cargo flight before Covid-19, but its operations were suspended during the pandemic,” he said.
According to statistics, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) exported 17.81 lakh metric tonnes of seafood worth 60,523 crore during the 2023-24 fiscal year, with AP contributing 32% by value of the total marine products exported from India and 20% by volume. It was 17.35 lakh metric tonnes of seafood worth 63,969 crore during the 2022-23 fiscal year. Farmers from AP exported a major share of frozen shrimp to the European Union, middle east, southeast Asia, China, and the USA, which is a major importer of Indian seafood with a share of 35%, equating to 2,500 million US dollars,
followed by China with 25% and Japan with 6%.
Total cargo handling through Vizag airport increased from 4.17 lakh kg in Sept 2023 to 4.73 lakh kg, including 2.05 lakh kg of exports and 2.68 lakh kg of imports, in April, this year.
According to airport sources, marine exports, including shrimp seeds from Vizag airport, amounted to 1.85 lakh kg, including 1.65 lakh kg of exports and 19,000 kg of imports in April of this year. A majority of marine exports and imports, including shrimp seeds, occur from Jan to April and Dec.