Seafood export falls, growth in dollar terms

Indian seafood export during 2007-08, has recorded a fall of 11.58 per cent in terms of quantity and 8.88 per cent in rupee value, but has registered a growth of 2.49 per cent in dollar terms.    

In dollar terms, the seafood export during 2007-08 reached an all time record to the tune of 1899.09 million. Seafood export during the period was 5,41,701 tonnes valued at Rs 7620.92 crore, Chairman Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), G Mohan Kumar, sad.

During the previous year about 6,12,641 tonnes had been exported, he said.    

Attributing the fall in exports to poor fish landings and lack of increase in shrimp exports, which forms 52 per cent of the export basket, he said India should have reached the two billion mark this year.    

This was the fourth year in succession Indian seafood export achieved record earnings in dollar terms.    

Efforts are also on to target new markets — Eastern Europe, South America, South Africa and neighbouring countries.

There is huge potential in Brazil for Indian seafood and many enquiries have come in from other South Amercian countries.

MPEDA is planning to take a trade delegation to Russia this year. India also needs to strengthen the Japanese market even though it is a traditional market, he said, adding a trade delegation  will also be sent to Japan.