The state has witnessed increase in exports from 14,161 metric tonnes (MT) in 2007-08 to 35,630 MT in 2015-16. It generated revenue of Rs 347.9 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 1,787.84 crore in 2015-16 with highest Rs 2,069.17 crore during 2014-15 when it exported nearly 15 per cent of its production, official sources said.
Seafood like marine fish, shrimp, crab, squid, octopus and cuttlefish are in high demand in foreign countries, reports TimesOfIndia.
Major markets for Odisha seafood include South East Asia (39 per cent) followed by USA (28 per cent), European Union (11 per cent) and Japan (9 per cent). Official sources said 97.79 per cent of the total value is contributed by frozen shrimp.
Fisheries and animal resources development secretary, Bishnupada Sethi, said the government has decided to create the necessary infrastructure, like air cargo handling at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, to facilitate the export of live seafood items to other countries.
The air cargo facility will boost high value commodities. "We can send live fish, crab, shrimp or other seafood to other countries every day," said Mr Sethi.
