The cornerstone of this export triumph remains the shrimp segment. Frozen shrimp emerged as the most sought-after commodity, accounting for more than two-thirds of the total export earnings. This category witnessed a dual surge, showing significant improvement in both the quantity exported and the prices realized in the global market.
This record-breaking performance comes despite a strategic setback in the United States, which has traditionally served as India's largest buyer. Exports to the US registered a decline in both volume and value, a trend largely attributed to shifts in trade regulations and the imposition of tariffs. However, the shortfall was effectively neutralized by a sharp uptick in demand from other regions. China, in particular, stepped up as a major consumer, with exports to the nation growing by over 20%. Similarly, the European Union, Southeast Asia, and Japan displayed a robust appetite for Indian seafood.
Export figures for the European Union saw a remarkable increase of over 35%, while Southeast Asia and Japan also recorded strong growth in procurement volumes. Industry experts highlight that India’s shift away from a single-market dependency toward a diversified global trade footprint—internally referred to as the government’s “Plan B”—has provided the sector with newfound stability and resilience.
According to the Ministry, the export basket has also diversified beyond shrimp, with frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, and fish oil seeing healthy demand. This diversification indicates that India is successfully expanding its reach across various marine product categories. Ultimately, the resilience shown in the face of the US market decline, coupled with the aggressive expansion into China and other international territories, underscores the definitive success of India’s revised trade strategy in securing a record-breaking year for the seafood industry.
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