Latest news with #Vannamei
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Odisha's marine industry braces for jolts from Trump tariffs
Balasore: The shrimp industry in Balasore is staring at a significant disruption in trade following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on all Indian imports, including seafood products. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Odisha, known for its shrimp cultivation and export, hosts numerous hatcheries, aquaculture farms and seafood processing units that primarily serve the US and European markets. The sudden imposition of steep tariffs has left exporters grappling with uncertainty, suspended orders, and fears of substantial financial losses. "Over 30% of our shrimp consignments are destined for the US. The value of marine products exported from Odisha to the US in 2024-25 stands at $170 million, with 99.5% comprising frozen Vannamei shrimp, the state's leading marine product. Any hike in import duties directly impacts our pricing. Buyers are already holding back or renegotiating orders," stated Sangram Das, vice-president of the Odisha Chapter of the Seafood Exporters Association of India. The cultivation of Vannamei shrimp has experienced robust growth in Odisha over the past decade. However, the newly imposed tariff threatens to erode profit margins, rendering Indian shrimp uncompetitive compared to low-cost exporters like Ecuador. "The industry operates on very narrow margins. A 25% duty renders Indian shrimp nearly unviable in the US market. If this situation persists, farmers and processing units across the state will face a severe financial crisis," warned Badal Das, coordinator of All Odisha Fish Federation. Compounding the crisis, Odisha's marine exporters are already contending with high input costs, fluctuating global demand and logistical disruptions, resulting in delayed shipments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The new tariff could exacerbate the situation, jeopardizing thousands of jobs — from aquaculture workers and packaging staff to cold storage operators and transporters. Industry leaders want the Centre to engage in urgent high-level trade discussions with the US to seek exemptions or negotiate relief measures for the seafood sector. They are also calling for financial support to offset export losses and protect the livelihoods of local shrimp farmers. Exporters are also exploring alternative markets in China, Japan, West Asia and Europe. However, experts caution that such diversification will take time and may not immediately compensate for the loss of the US market, which remains one of the most lucrative destinations for Indian seafood products. "The impact is real and immediate. Unless quick policy action is taken, Odisha's marine export sector could suffer long-term damage," warned a senior official from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
Mint
5 days ago
- Business
- Mint
India-UK trade deal: Lobster, shrimp, pomfret export to benefit under CETA's duty-free access to British market
India-UK trade deal: India's seafood exports to the United Kingdom are set to gain market share after both nations signed a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on Thursday, 24 July 2025. The CETA offers zero-tariff access and opens up key services sectors for both nations. India's Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying said that the recent trade deal will help exporters gain market share for key seafood exports to the United Kingdom, such as Vannamei shrimp, lobsters, and frozen pomfret. 'India's key seafood exports to the UK currently include Vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), frozen squid, lobsters, frozen pomfret, and black tiger shrimp—all of which are expected to gain further market share under CETA's duty-free access,' said the Ministry in an official statement. This will be achieved by removing UK import tariffs on a wide range of seafood items for Indian exporters, as part of the trade deal. 'Under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), all fish and fisheries commodities falling under the UK tariff schedule categories marked 'A' now enjoy 100% duty-free access from the date of entry into force of the agreement,' said the Ministry. The CETA deal will also benefit 'labour-intensive sectors' like textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, among others, which India exports to the European nation. 'This is expected to particularly benefit exports of shrimp, frozen fish, and value-added marine products—boosting India's presence in one of its major seafood destinations alongside labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, and gems and jewellery,' they said in the statement. The Indian seafood export industry reached a total export worth $7.38 billion or ₹ 60,523 crore in the financial year 2024-25, marking a total of 1.78 million metric tonnes in quantity, according to the official data. Out of the total exports, Frozen shrimp ranked the highest at 66% worth $4.88 billion. Seafood exports to Britain were valued at $104 million or ₹ 879 crore in the same period, with frozen shrimp contributing nearly 77% of the total exports to the UK. 'However, India's share in the UK's $5.4 billion seafood import market is just 2.25%. With CETA now in force, industry estimates project a 70% surge in marine exports to the UK in the coming years,' said the Ministry of Fisheries in the official statement. Coastal states of India like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are key contributors to the total seafood exports to foreign nations. With this move, India aims to capitalise on duty-free access to the UK markets, uplift coastal livelihoods, enhance industry revenues, and strengthen the nation's reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality, sustainable seafood. The Ministry also stated that this opportunity will allow seafood exporters to diversify beyond traditional partners like the US and China.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KSJPS opposes move to conduct year-round Vannamei shrimp farming in kari fields
Protests are brewing against the alleged move to conduct year-round Vannamei shrimp farming in kari (pokkali) fields. According to the Kerala State Janakeeya Prathirodha Samithi (KSJPS), attempts are being made to expand shrimp farming in a way that would be detrimental to the interests of inland fishers, agricultural workers and subsistence farmers. 'Year-round, large-scale Vannamei shrimp cultivation in kari lands will harm paddy and vegetable farming, as well as the environment. Kari lands were transformed into centres of paddy and vegetable cultivation through decades of human labour, without the aid of machinery or modern systems. During the paddy cultivation season, which extends from the southwest monsoon to the northeast monsoon, the rainwater collected in the fields plays a crucial role in protecting groundwater sources from salinisation. If saline water-based shrimp farming is permitted in these fields throughout the year, the adjoining residential areas will gradually turn into barren lands,' said Francis Kalathunkal of KSJPS. The KSJPS said the shrimp farming would not only contaminate groundwater sources but also accelerate the deterioration of buildings and other infrastructure due to the constant presence of salt. 'It will ring the death-knell for paddy and vegetable farming. Fruit-bearing trees, including coconut palms, will be lost. Freshwater aquatic life will be destroyed. As a result, the livelihood of hundreds of inland fishers will be wiped out,' it said. 'Support by ruling party' The Samithi expressed concern over the support extended by the 'labour wing of a key party in the ruling Left Democratic Front' for Vannamei shrimp farming. Pokkali paddy cultivation has received a Geographical Indication tag and is listed on the United Nations' red conservation list. The integrated pokkali farming method, which follows a One Rice and One Fish cycle, is practised in five coastal taluks of Cherthala, Kochi, Kanayannur, Paravur and Kodungallur in Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. As per the government-mandated crop calendar, pokkali fields are to be used exclusively for paddy cultivation from mid-April to mid-November every year. Saline aquaculture is permissible during the remaining five months, when salinity levels are high in adjacent water bodies. The committee demanded that the government clarify the circumstances that led it to consider an amendment to the One Rice and One Fish cycle. 'Authorities should not forget that Vannamei shrimp cultivation has triggered environmental issues in other States,' the KSJPS said.
