India's seafood industry is setting its sights on a resurgence in exports, strategically pivoting towards the European Union (EU), Russia, and Australia as it navigates challenges posed by tariffs imposed by the United States. This diversification strategy comes at a crucial time, with the Indian seafood sector seeking to maintain its global competitiveness and explore new market opportunities.
The US market, a major importer of Indian seafood, has become less attractive due to increased tariffs. President Trump's administration has imposed tariffs which touched an effective rate of as much as 59.72% on Indian goods, a move perceived as a penalty for New Delhi's continued imports of Russian crude oil. This has significantly impacted Indian shrimp exports, particularly from Andhra Pradesh, which accounts for 80% of India's total shrimp exports and had been exporting about 70% of its produce to the US.
However, the Indian government and the seafood industry are proactively addressing these challenges by focusing on alternative markets and resolving trade impediments. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has stated that legacy issues with the EU, Russia, and Australia have been ironed out, paving the way for expanded exports to these regions.
The EU's recent approval of 102 Indian fishery establishments for exports marks a significant breakthrough. This development addresses a nine-year-old issue related to quality control orders, which had previously restricted Indian fish imports. With these approvals, all major seafood exporters in India are now eligible to ship to the EU, potentially leading to an immediate 20% jump in seafood exports to the region. The EU is particularly interested in importing shrimp from India, reflecting growing confidence in India's food safety and quality assurance systems. The EU is India's second-largest seafood export destination after the US, accounting for $1.1 billion in shipments in FY24.
Russia is also in the process of granting final approvals to 25 Indian fisheries, with ongoing efforts to increase this number. This expansion into the Russian market presents another significant opportunity for Indian seafood exporters.
In addition to the EU and Russia, Australia has also reopened its doors to Indian shrimp imports. In October 2025, Australia permitted unpeeled shrimp imports from Andhra Pradesh after an eight-year ban due to concerns about the white spot virus.
While the US remains a major importer of Indian seafood, accounting for $2.71 billion in 2024-25, the increasing tariffs have prompted the Indian seafood industry to diversify its export destinations. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has emphasized the need to shift from a single-species, single-destination strategy to a more diversified approach.
Despite a slight dip in export volume from 17,81,602 MT in FY 2023-24 to 16,98,170 MT in FY 2024-25, India's seafood exports have held firm at $7.45 billion. Frozen shrimp continues to be the dominant export item, generating $5.17 billion and accounting for nearly 70% of the total seafood export revenue. Frozen fish and squid are also significant contributors, valued at $622.60 million and $367.68 million respectively.
The Indian government is also supporting the seafood industry through various measures, including proposed reductions in the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on key inputs for shrimp and fish feed production. These measures aim to enhance the sector's global competitiveness and boost seafood exports.
Looking ahead, the Indian seafood industry is optimistic about its growth prospects, with the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry projecting a doubling of seafood exports to $14 billion by 2025. While challenges remain, the industry's proactive approach to diversifying markets and addressing trade barriers positions it for a strong revival in the coming years.
