Despite being hit by the US’s tariff leading to decline in shipment, India’s exports of marine products increased by over 16% to $ 4.87 billion in April – October, 2025-26 on year because of a surge in shipment across several new markets, the commerce ministry has stated.
Wit the exports of marine product declining by over 7% during first ten months of current fiscal to the United States, the country’s biggest export destination because of high tariff, the loss in shipment was ‘more than compensated’ by rise in shipment to China, Vietnam, Belgium, Japan, Russia, Canada and the United Kingdom, according to the official note.
Surge in marine products exports is primarily attributed to the rise in shipment of shrimp and prawn, which reported over 17% rise in Apr–Oct 2025, to $ 3.1 billion from $ 2.64 billion in the same period last year.
“These gains reflect both a diversification in export destinations and a structural shift in global sourcing trends, as buyers in Asia and Europe increasingly turn toward Indian suppliers for consistent quality and competitive pricing,” the note stated, indicating rising market expansion opportunity for the country’s marine exports potential.
India’s seafood exports
India’s seafood exports, mostly frozen shrimp, were $ 7.45 billion in FY25, with the United States having a share of 35% ($ 2.8 billion).
The bulk of the country’s seafood exports to the US is ‘Vannamei Shrimp’. Ecuador had a 19% in the USA’s annual seafood import of $ 6 billion. The tariff by the US had put Indian seafood at a major disadvantage compared to competitors like Ecuador (15%), Vietnam (20%), and Thailand (19%) tariff.
Earlier trade officials had feared that the seafood exports would hit as effective duties imposed by the US have been increased to 59.71% which includes countervailing (5.76%) and anti-dumping duties (3.96%) along with a 50% tariff announced for India by President Donald Trump.
What did trade officials say?
“Despite global price pressures, recessionary trends in the US, and volatile logistics conditions, India’s marine sector demonstrated strong resilience”, an official said.
To boost India’s seafood exports prospects, the European Union (EU) recently has approved 102 additional fishery units for shipments, the Marine Products Export Development Authority.
The EU is the third-largest seafood export destination for India after China, accounting for 15.10% of India’s total exports.
The seafood exports to the EU in FY25 were valued at $ 1.12 billion, and key export items included frozen shrimp, cuttlefish, and squid.
