India’s seafood export industry is preparing for a potential downturn following a sharp increase in US tariffs, prompting calls for market diversification, innovation, and value-added product development to sustain export growth.
The concern dominated discussions at an industry meet held alongside the fourth International Symposium on Marine Ecosystems (MECOS 4) at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Wednesday.
Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) Director Dr. Ram Mohan revealed that India’s seafood exports to the United States — the country’s largest market — fell by nearly 6 percent between April and September 2025. Meanwhile, shipments to China, Vietnam, and Thailand recorded notable growth, signaling a gradual shift toward Asian markets.
“Combined with anti-dumping and countervailing duties, the effective tariff now stands at 58.26 percent, which has significantly eroded India’s competitiveness in its top export destination,” said Dr. Mohan.
Highlighting the way forward, Dr. George Ninan, Director of the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), emphasized that technology-led innovation and a stronger startup ecosystem connecting researchers, technologists, and industry stakeholders are crucial for the industry’s long-term resilience.
The meeting recommended expanding the production of high-value, value-added seafood products such as breaded squid rings, surimi, and ready-to-eat fillets to enhance profitability. Currently, India’s value-added seafood exports amount to $742 million, significantly lower than competitors such as China, Thailand, Vietnam, Ecuador, and Indonesia.
Industry representatives also called for the creation of exclusive aquaculture zones and the fast-tracking of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to restore India’s competitiveness in global seafood markets.
“The US has long been India’s largest shrimp market, but the new tariff regime, combined with sustainability and traceability concerns, has disrupted trade flows and affected export revenues,” said A.J. Tharakan of the Seafood Exporters Association of India.
CMFRI Director Dr. Grinson George stated that feedback and concerns gathered from stakeholders, including exporters, fish farmers, and feed manufacturers, would be compiled into a comprehensive policy roadmap emerging from the MECOS 4 deliberations.
The session, which focused on sustaining India’s seafood export ecosystem through policy and technological innovation, was coordinated by Dr. Joe K. Kizhakudan.
