Latest news with #MPEDA
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Seafood value addition olympiad held in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)organised the inter-State skill olympiad on Seafood Value Addition — preliminary round (zone II - East Coast) for seafood processing professionals at the National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training, on Thursday. The event featured a display of seafood products—including Nobashi shrimp (stretched shrimp), Breaded Butterfly shrimp, Peeled and Deveined Tail-On Skewer shrimp, Cooked PDTO shrimp, Marinated PD Tail-Off shrimp, and Cooked PDTO Ring shrimp. Cephalopod products included Blanched Squid Rings and Breaded Squid Rings, while the fish category showcased fish fillets and breaded fish fillets. Inaugurating the event, MPEDA Secretary P. Anilkumar said that the event is in line with the Centre's Viksit Bharat 2047, and its objective was to enhance skills in seafood processing, build a pool of trained professionals and create awareness about quality and value addition in seafood products. Former Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) president V. Padmanabham, who was chief guest, spoke about the challenges being faced by the seafood industry. As many as 20 skilled seafood professionals from across the East Coast participated in the olympiad and prepared 10 value-added seafood products from shrimps, squid and tilapia. It witnessed the participation of officials from Central and State organisations, researchers, exporters, processing workers, and students. The winners of the event were Tarun Kishore Behera (first), Atanu Choudhary (second), Sandhya Rani Palaparthi (third), Probin Chandra Gosh (fourth), and D. Anitha (fifth).
Economic Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Billion-dollar catch: India has the potential to create an IPL out of aquaculture
iStock Despite the opening up of foreign direct investment (FDI) in aquaculture, this avenue remains unexploited by established aquaculture and mariculture companies. India's seafood exports at current prices (in value terms) grew by 67.75% to $7.38 billion in 2023-24 from $5 billion in 2013-14. During the same period, the export of frozen shrimps, which are India's flagship seafood product, alone increased by 65.57%—rising from $3.2 billion to $4.88 billion—while the exports of other seafood items together grew just 38%—from $1.8 billion in 2013-14 to $2.5 billion in data suggest that frozen shrimps will remain the flagship product of India's seafood exports for the foreseeable future. The key component that enables quick supply response to market demand is inventory, along with the ability to step up production on short notice. Indian farmed production of P. vannamei (Pacific white shrimp) increased from 1731 tonnes in 2009-10 to 815,745 tonnes in 2021-22. In contrast, the production of farmed P. monodon (black tiger shrimp) declined from 95,919 tonnes to 27,616 tonnes during the same period. This implies that around 8.5 lakh tonnes were available for the market in 2021-22. According to data from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), India exported 7.28 lakh tonnes of shrimp in 2021-22 and 7.16 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. Assuming 7 lakh tonnes are exported annually, the domestic market is left with 1 lakh tonne of farmed shrimp for local consumption. It is only the low-count shrimp that remains behind, serving the domestic market. Data also indicates that there has not been any notable increase in production in recent years that could help diversify the export enhancements happen through horizontal expansion in areas where suitably identified land is available. The area under P. monodon has declined to 27,616 per hectare (ha) in 2021-22 from 95,919 ha in 2009-10, while the area under P. vannamei increased to 815,745 ha in 2020-21 from 1,731 ha in 2009-10. In 2020-21, the yield of P. mondon was 0.47 tonnes per ha, while the yield of P. vannamei was 7.52 tonnes per ha. A cursory examination of the data shows that there has not been a remarkable expansion in either area or yield in the recent enhancements in shrimp can happen through the widespread adoption of modern technologies like Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) and Biofloc. It is distressing that Biofloc has not been extensively adopted despite its cost advantage compared to pond culture. Government initiatives like the Prime Minister Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PMMKSSY) could take the lead in training entrepreneurs at various levels in advanced production technologies and financial products through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and PPP the opening up of foreign direct investment (FDI) in aquaculture, this avenue remains unexploited by established aquaculture and mariculture companies across the world. FDI in a sensitive sector, like aquaculture, can happen when the investment climate is favourable. Besides the investment climate, having a critical mass of technically competent personnel to service the sector is essential. The late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs stated that it is the availability of this mass of skilled workers that makes China an MFN (most favoured nation) for investments in any sector. There is an urgent need to rewire fisheries education to meet the requirements and demands of the fisheries and aquaculture production sector. It is heartening to note that 35,000-40,000 tonnes of shrimp are currently being exported to the US market following a pause in the 26% reciprocal tariffs levied by the US. However, it is important for the Indian shrimp sector to explore new opportunities by investing in shrimp farming in Central American countries. This would allow them to benefit from the lower US tariffs and gain a cost advantage in logistics. The increase in the US tariff on Ecuadorian seafood has resulted in a decline, while Chinese seafood exporters to the US are facing significant challenges, benefiting select Southeast Asian countries in the medium term for value-added shrimp and tilapia urban and peri-urban markets are indeed responding to farmed shrimp consumption and must be necessarily serviced. However, it is essential to maintain a competitive edge in the export market by increasing market diversification and penetration, diversifying product composition, and attracting foreign investments for production to ensure a steady influx of foreign exchange. Corporate business houses must be invited and encouraged to take a long look at the potential of aquaculture, take initiative and lead the way. India has the potential to create an IPL out of aquaculture. Play it now. Dr M Krishnan is former Principal Scientist & Head, ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai; and Dr Badri Narayanan Goplakrishnan is a Visiting Senior Fellow at CSEP, New Delhi. Views are personal. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Billion-dollar catch: India has the potential to create an IPL out of aquaculture
Live Events India's seafood exports at current prices (in value terms) grew by 67.75% to $7.38 billion in 2023-24 from $5 billion in 2013-14. During the same period, the export of frozen shrimps, which are India's flagship seafood product, alone increased by 65.57%—rising from $3.2 billion to $4.88 billion—while the exports of other seafood items together grew just 38%—from $1.8 billion in 2013-14 to $2.5 billion in data suggest that frozen shrimps will remain the flagship product of India's seafood exports for the foreseeable future. The key component that enables quick supply response to market demand is inventory, along with the ability to step up production on short notice. Indian farmed production of P. vannamei (Pacific white shrimp) increased from 1731 tonnes in 2009-10 to 815,745 tonnes in 2021-22. In contrast, the production of farmed P. monodon (black tiger shrimp) declined from 95,919 tonnes to 27,616 tonnes during the same period. This implies that around 8.5 lakh tonnes were available for the market in 2021-22. According to data from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), India exported 7.28 lakh tonnes of shrimp in 2021-22 and 7.16 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. Assuming 7 lakh tonnes are exported annually, the domestic market is left with 1 lakh tonne of farmed shrimp for local consumption. It is only the low-count shrimp that remains behind, serving the domestic market. Data also indicates that there has not been any notable increase in production in recent years that could help diversify the export enhancements happen through horizontal expansion in areas where suitably identified land is available. The area under P. monodon has declined to 27,616 per hectare (ha) in 2021-22 from 95,919 ha in 2009-10, while the area under P. vannamei increased to 815,745 ha in 2020-21 from 1,731 ha in 2009-10. In 2020-21, the yield of P. mondon was 0.47 tonnes per ha, while the yield of P. vannamei was 7.52 tonnes per ha. A cursory examination of the data shows that there has not been a remarkable expansion in either area or yield in the recent enhancements in shrimp can happen through the widespread adoption of modern technologies like Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) and Biofloc. It is distressing that Biofloc has not been extensively adopted despite its cost advantage compared to pond culture. Government initiatives like the Prime Minister Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PMMKSSY) could take the lead in training entrepreneurs at various levels in advanced production technologies and financial products through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and PPP the opening up of foreign direct investment (FDI) in aquaculture, this avenue remains unexploited by established aquaculture and mariculture companies across the world. FDI in a sensitive sector, like aquaculture, can happen when the investment climate is favourable. Besides the investment climate, having a critical mass of technically competent personnel to service the sector is essential. The late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs stated that it is the availability of this mass of skilled workers that makes China an MFN (most favoured nation) for investments in any sector. There is an urgent need to rewire fisheries education to meet the requirements and demands of the fisheries and aquaculture production is heartening to note that 35,000-40,000 tonnes of shrimp are currently being exported to the US market following a pause in the 26% reciprocal tariffs levied by the US. However, it is important for the Indian shrimp sector to explore new opportunities by investing in shrimp farming in Central American countries. This would allow them to benefit from the lower US tariffs and gain a cost advantage in logistics. The increase in the US tariff on Ecuadorian seafood has resulted in a decline, while Chinese seafood exporters to the US are facing significant challenges, benefiting select Southeast Asian countries in the medium term for value-added shrimp and tilapia urban and peri-urban markets are indeed responding to farmed shrimp consumption and must be necessarily serviced. However, it is essential to maintain a competitive edge in the export market by increasing market diversification and penetration, diversifying product composition, and attracting foreign investments for production to ensure a steady influx of foreign exchange. Corporate business houses must be invited and encouraged to take a long look at the potential of aquaculture, take initiative and lead the way. India has the potential to create an IPL out of aquaculture. Play it M Krishnan is former Principal Scientist & Head, ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai; and Dr Badri Narayanan Goplakrishnan is a Visiting Senior Fellow at CSEP, New Delhi. Views are personal.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
India's seafood exports surge despite global uncertainties
New Delhi: India's seafood exports have recorded a robust growth of 17.81 per cent in April this year to $0.58 billion as the country continues to play a key role of the fourth largest producer of marine products in the international market, according to figures compiled by the Commerce and Industry Ministry. The country exported 16.85 lakh metric tonnes of marine products in the financial year ended March 31, 2025, which represents an over 60 per cent jump. In value terms, the exports grew to $7.2 billion from $5.4 billion in FY15. The momentum is continuing into 2025-26, despite fears over tariff hikes announced by the US, which is the largest market for Indian exports. Meanwhile, India and the US are close to concluding a bilateral trade aimed at increasing the flow of exports and imports between the two countries. India now exports seafood to 130 countries, up from 105 in 2014-15, reflecting the expanding reach of the country's marine products. Frozen shrimp is the largest exported marine product, contributing over 40 per cent of the total quantity and 66.12 per cent of the total export value, with the US and China as the largest markets. India's export competitiveness and higher price realisation are fuelled by the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, which supports a basket of interventions along the fisheries value chain, including quality fish production, expansion, diversification and intensification of brackish water aquaculture, promotion of export-oriented species. Infusion of technology, robust disease management and traceability, training and capacity building, creation of modern post-harvest infrastructure with seamless cold chain, development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centres also form part of the scheme that has given a big boost to seafood production and exports in the country, a senior official said. The Centre is now aiming to achieve an export turnover of $18 billion (Rs 1.57 lakh crore) by 2030. The target has been set in the Vision Document -2030 for India's seafood exports that has been formulated by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), which functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the statement said. MPEDA plays a key role in overseeing the seafood export from the country. The Department of Fisheries is implementing the flagship PMMSY scheme with an investment of Rs 20,050 crore in the fisheries sector for five years with effect from the FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 across all States and UTs, which has led to a jump in exports.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
In troubled waters: Trump's tariffs threaten India's shrimp lifeline
Live Events Pavan Kosaraju, CEO of AquaExchange, says that it is the 'complete uncertainty' is hurting the sector. India's shrimp industry is currently facing significant uncertainty as it braces for a 26% reciprocal tariff imposed by the Donald Trump administration, set to take effect once the 90-day pause ends. Currently, the tariffs stand at 10%.The US is the biggest market for Indian shrimp, accounting for nearly 41% of India's total exports. In FY24, India exported 297,571 million tonnes (MT) of frozen shrimps valued at $4.8 billion to the US, according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).The 'complete uncertainty' is hurting the sector, according to Pavan Kosaraju , CEO of AquaExchange, a Veeravalli (Andhra Pradesh)-based technology firm that provides aquaculture solutions. 'When we speak of this tariff, who is going to bear this extra cost is the biggest question. Will the importers bear the price or will the end consumers bear it? In the shrimp sector here, it is mostly the latter. Some sectors divide these tariffs 50/50. India runs with a 26% local tariff; in addition to this, there is a 5.7% countervailing duty (CVD) and a 2.49% anti-dumping duty. This comes to a total of 34.19% now,' he further explained that even if only 26% is being split, Indian companies are expected to absorb the 13% extra cost, which is almost double the margins they currently earn. Such a scenario renders it unviable for processors to operate. This burden is subsequently passed on to farmers.'Given the higher incidence of crop losses that we see in the market recently, the farmers are working with the same kind of margin, 10-15%. The moment you add a 13% tariff here, it becomes unviable for farming. We have also seen a few incidents where farming associations or regional farming groups take a crop holiday because of this,' he Yogesh Gupta, MD of Kolkata-based shrimp processor Megaa Moda: 'The Indian government should fight for this sector and try diplomatically to get rid of ADD/CVD and do hard negotiation on bilateral agreements. Other support like IES (Indian Export Standards), etc., will give temporary relief but is much needed now.'He strongly advocated for the introduction of TMA (Transport and Marketing) assistance for this sector, citing the extremely high freight Indian shrimp exporters, according to Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman of CLFMA (Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers' Association) of India, are now preparing to ship previously delayed orders. Industry officials are expressing relief that Indian shrimp has once again become competitive with other exporters such as Ecuador, following the 90-day pause, during which both India and Ecuador would face 10% tariffs. But once the pause ends, India will face 26% tariffs while Ecuador will continue with 10%. This disparity will pose challenges for Indian exporters operating on thin to media reports citing Seafood Exporters Association of India Secretary General K.N. Raghavan, India's seafood exporters are preparing to ship 35,000-40,000 tonnes of shrimp to the US, with orders remaining stable following the announcement of the 90-day tariff pause.'Exporters feared that the higher tariffs would endanger thousands of containers, disrupt global supply chains, and force renegotiations with major US supermarket buyers, such as Walmart and Kroger. The pause allows exporters to fulfil existing contracts without incurring the additional tariff burden, stabilising orders in the short term. Nevertheless, the overall outlook remains cautious; the effective duty rate is still higher than before, and the sector is wary of further policy change. Exporters and farmers are incurring significant losses and facing uncertainty, with many farmers regretting recent investments in shrimp cultivation due to the sudden price drops and unstable demand,' Gulati has been a long-standing competitor of India for shrimp production and exports. The South American country has received reciprocal tariffs of just 10% from the US, which intensifies the competition for India's shrimp mentioned that the only advantage for Indian exporters at this moment is Ecuador's insufficient infrastructure for value-added shrimp exports; the country currently engages only in basic processing of shrimps. Value-added shrimps include shrimps that have undergone various processing steps, such as having their heads or tails removed, being cooked or being peeled, to enhance their appeal.'The US imports a lot of value-added products for which Ecuador lacks the necessary infrastructure to operate on a large scale; that is the only last ray of hope for the Indian industry today,' he Ecuadorian shrimp processors are now developing the infrastructure to do value addition, Kosaraju says. 'So, in about 18-24 months, we see that big shift happening…where it could take over the right infrastructure for value addition. Once that happens, it will be a big blow to the Indian industry,' he step that could potentially enhance India's shrimp exports is market diversification. For India's shrimp exporters, reducing dependence on the US and exploring other favourable markets, such as China, Japan, and Korea, may serve as a long-term is something Indian exporters should have started some five years ago, as per Aditya Dash, MD, Ram's Assorted Cold Storage Limited, a seafood processing/exports company of the Suryo Group of Companies. 'They need to address non-tariff barrier regions like the European Union, China, Korea and Japan,' he pointed out that apart from being one of the top exporters of shrimp, China is also a net importer and presents a significant market opportunity to explore once the US tariffs are set in. However, it comes with its own set of challenges. One is that China only requires shrimps for basic processing, and hence, profit margins are lower in China compared to the second challenge is that the quality testing and standards requirements by countries like Europe and Japan are far stricter compared to the US. 'They have higher requirements on data traceability and various metrics; they also require higher sample testing and antibiotic trace testing. While these are also required for the US, only about 50% of the containers are tested for them, unlike in other countries,' he pointed out that focusing on value-added products and adhering to EU standards can enhance exports to countries like Spain, France, and Italy, which are major shrimp importers within the could also be a strategic time for India because China processes a lot of American seafood and then re-exports it, said Dash. 'Alaskan prawns go to China, get reprocessed and then exported back to the US and around the world. The US can now start developing India as a partner for this. Similarly, Argentinian shrimps, we can import them to India, reprocess, and then export them back to the US. It's feasible, because it will be a product of Argentina, which will have zero import duty,' he said, adding that this cannot be done overnight and requires a lot of policy to Kosaraju, a small step forward has been made by shrimp feed manufacturers in Andhra Pradesh with the reduction of prices of shrimp feed (Rs 5 per kg). This comes out after a government consultation with the stakeholders. Andhra Pradesh is the leading shrimp-producing state in India. 'If you want to produce 1 kg of shrimp, you need to require about 1.4 kg of feed. In this new scenario, your entire cost of production will come down by about Rs 5 per kg. This will provide some relief to about 3-4% for the overall cost of production,' he Gulati also said that exporters have reduced offer prices by approximately 10% since the tariffs were announced, as demand from US buyers weakened and renegotiations became common. For instance, the price of the 100-count Vannamei shrimp dropped from around Rs 240 to Rs 200 per kg, and similarly for emphasised the importance of the government's taking strategic steps, such as reducing or eliminating import duties on essential inputs for shrimp farming, including feed, broodstock, and other necessary materials. This lowers production costs, making Indian shrimp more competitive in the global market. 'Further, offering low-interest loans or moratoriums on existing loans can help shrimp farmers and exporters manage their cash,' he said.
