In a study titled "Seafoods Market in India by 2014", it said seafood exports totaled $1.9 billion in 2008-09 and moved up to $2.84 billion in 2010-11. They have the potential to accelerate faster in view of growing demand from the European Union, the US, China, southeast Asia and Japan.
The exports of marine products from India set an all-time record of 8.07 lakh tonnes in 2010-11, marking an increase of 18.96 per cent in quantity terms, 27.64 per cent in rupee terms and 33.17 per cent in dollar terms over previous year.
In terms of export earnings, frozen squid continued to be the largest export item (60.11 per cent in value terms) followed by frozen shrimp (36.21 per cent), frozen fish (28.03 per cent) and fresh cuttle fish (18.45 per cent).
ASSOCHAM stated that large-scale production of Vannamei in addition to high productivity of black tiger shrimp and increased landing of squid attributed for the increase.
The paper suggests that the strength of current fleet of fish catching vessels in India is less than 70,000 in numbers. The capacity of each is less than two tonnes which needs to be expanded to nine tonnes for increasing fish acreage with the latest remote sensing equipment.
ASSOCHAM also suggested that the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) needs to be financially strengthened through central allocations so that sea exporters get adequate fiscal assistance.
The European Union accounts for 20.94 per cent of Indias marine product exports in quantity, 26.69 per cent in value and 26.66 per cent in dollar realisations. The US recorded a share of 6.17 per cent in quantity, 15.47 per cent in value and 15.4 per cent dollar realisations.
The share of southeast Asia to Indian marine product exports was 28.7 per cent in quantity, 16.38 per cent in value and 16.42 per cent in dollar realisations.
Export to China showed a growth of 19.65 per cent in quantity, 15.37 per cent in value and 15.45 per cent in dollar realisations.
States like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat and Orissa have huge potential which needs to be harnessed in a manner that can enhance Indias export potential further, said ASSOCHAM.
Marine Exports To Double By 2013-14
INDIA - The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has stated that Indias seafood exports are likely to touch $4.7 billion by 2013-14 from $2.84 billion in 2010-11 provided key thrust areas like value-addition, expansion of aquaculture, technological upgradation and tapping unexplored resources get a boost.
