Indian seafood export evolution in the last five years. (Graph: MPEDA)

Seafood exports forecast to hit USD 10 billion by 2020

INDIA
Saturday, September 24, 2016, 02:20 (GMT + 9)

The Government of India believes that a safe and sustainable aquaculture will help to give seafood exports a major thrust by 2020, as by that time export turnover has been forecast to hit USD 10 billion.

The announcement was made by chairman of Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) A Jayathilak on addressing a media conference at the inaugural session of the three-day 20th India International Seafood Show 2016, Times of India reported.

Jayathilak also said that sustainable fishing and aquaculture production methods through diversification particularly of L vannemei will aid this growth.

According to official statistics, in 2015-16, India's marine exports stood at USD 4.7 billion by exporting 945,000 tonnes.

Referring to the event, Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) national president V Padmanabham pointed out it has provided a platform for manufacturers and suppliers of seafood processing machinery, packaging systems, certifications, processing ingredients, cold chain system and logistics.

SEAI president also stressed that: “AP (Andhra Pradesh) is the shrimp capital of India” and that “various policies by the state and central government will help improve the seafood exports from AP.”

For his part, SEAI secretary general Elias Sait said that as an increasing number of airlines are beginning to operate from Vizag, the sashimi grade tuna can be exported to Japan, which would provide three times value as compared to normal variety of tuna.

Also present at the event, Union Minister of State for Commerce (independent charge) Nirmala Seetharaman said the growth of the industry was self-motivated, especially in Andhra Pradesh, but the emphasis should be on value-addition, The Hindu Business Line informed.

"I call upon the foreign companies, as well as the Indian companies, to have a healthy interaction during the show and draw up plans to invest in the sector with the objective in mind. The FDI norms had been eased for the purpose," she stressed.

The minister pointed out that the MPEDA was the main export promotion agency at the national level, but recognised the need to have a state-level agency for the development of aquaculture and fisheries and such agencies will be set up in all the maritime states.

In her view, certain marine products had been included in the Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme and the exporters should avail themselves of the benefit.

In this regard, Chief Minister N. Chadrababu Naidu promised all help and incentives to the industry and urged both foreign companies as well as Indian companies to invest in the State.

Finally, Padmanabham pleaded for benefits for aquaculture farmers and a greater flow of funds into the sector, a demand which was echoed by several others including K. Haribabu, the member of Parliament from Visakhapatnam. He also wanted representation to exporters on the board of the MPEDA.

The seafood show is attended by around 1,200 Indian delegates and 200 foreign delegates as well as by participants from various countries including Japan, the US and Germany.
 
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