India seafood exports: Goyal sets USD 30 billion goal, urges value-added products and quality

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal set a goal to lift India’s seafood exports to USD 30 billion within five years. The current level is about USD 8.5 billion. Goyal said exporters should focus on quality, higher output, and more value-added manufacturing. The minister spoke at a national workshop on seafood exports held on Friday.

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Goyal said India should expand overseas reach by sending more fish products to global markets. "Lets target USD 30 billion in the next five years,\" Goyal said. The minister also urged a shift away from importing raw shrimp. \"Take Indias fish across the world. Reduce import of raw shrimp and export value-added goods and build brands,\" Goyal noted.

Seafood exports target and free trade agreements

Goyal linked the export push to recent trade deals. India has finalised nine free trade agreements with developed nations in the last three and a half years, Goyal said. The minister said this should improve market access for seafood shipments. The target, Goyal added, can be met by raising production and improving quality checks.

Goyal said fisheries exports rose 70 per cent over the last decade. Exports increased from USD 5 billion in 2013-14 to USD 8.5 billion in the last fiscal. Over the same period, global fisheries trade moved from USD 150 billion to USD 164 billion. The minister said India should capture better prices through value-added products.

Seafood exports and shipping freight pressures

Traders raised concerns about high ocean freight rates. Goyal said shipping prices depend on demand and supply. The minister said regulating freight charges could backfire for the market. Goyal added that wider global trade conditions also influence freight movements. The comments came during questions from reporters at the workshop.

Seafood exports and fuel, fertiliser cost measures

On the West Asia crisis, Goyal spoke about energy costs and availability. \"Our inflation is amongst the lowest in the world...In many countries today, diesel and petrol have become a crisis of availability, not one day...in India, we had no line or any shortages or any people suffering,\" Goyal said. Goyal said energy planning and diverse sourcing helped manage risks.

Goyal said the central government absorbed losses faced by oil and fertiliser firms. The aim, Goyal said, was to reduce the burden on households and businesses. The minister said fertiliser prices were far above what farmers paid. Against Rs 3,000, farmers pay Rs 300, Goyal said. The subsidy bill is over Rs 2 lakh crore.

Seafood exports, value addition and inland infrastructure

Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said India must increase its share in global fisheries exports. Singh said steps were in progress to raise value addition. The goal, Singh said, was to increase earnings for exporters and small fishermen. Singh also sought new infrastructure to boost exports from inland states.

Singh said exporters managed market shifts despite US tariffs of 55.8 per cent. Singh said export growth to the EU, Japan, China and Southeast Asia helped offset losses. Singh also indicated the National Fisheries Board may open a regional office in Andhra Pradesh. Singh called Andhra Pradesh India’s biggest fish producer and seafood exporter.

Seafood exports performance, destinations and products

India’s marine product exports touched a record Rs 73,890.46 crore, or USD 8.45 billion, in 2025-26. Export volume was 19.72 lakh metric tonnes. The sector has set a target of Rs 1 lakh crore in exports. The US and China remained the top destinations. Frozen shrimp stayed the leading export item.

Seafood exports and cargo airport plans

Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu spoke about air connectivity for trade. Naidu said the government plans to double airports to over 350. Naidu also said more cargo airports were planned. Under One District One Product, Naidu said the ministry was exploring \"one airport, one product\". Naidu suggested faster processing at cargo terminals.

The ministers outlined steps aimed at raising seafood export earnings through quality, value addition, and wider market access. They also pointed to support measures linked to energy and fertiliser costs. Export performance data showed record marine shipments in 2025-26, with frozen shrimp leading. Officials said better logistics, including cargo airports, could help meet higher export targets.

With inputs from PTI