Andhra stir worries sea food exporters in state

Ongoing anti-Telangana agitation in Andhra Pradesh has worried the seafood exporters in the state as about 70 per cent of the marine product exports are routed through the Vizag port.

"Exporters are worried over the agitation in Andhra Pradesh as the strike may lead to delay in shipments resulting in cancellation of the orders," said Gorachand Mohanty, president, Sea Food Exporters Association of India (Odisha region).

If the strike continues longer, it would affect the marine product exports from the state, he added.

The exporters are concerned as the shipments are to be dispatched by October 30 to meet the Christmas demand in the USA and European countries.

With Christmas and New Year approaching, October and November months are usually busy months for the Indian exporters.

Marine products from Odisha have a great demand in Japan, US and European countries and 60 per cent of the exports from the state are made to the western countries.

Exporters are also not sure about the availability of facilities at the Kolkata port if the shipments are diverted there. In the circumstances, they are pinning hopes on the Paradip port to develop facilities for exports of the marine products.

Trade sources say, consignments to the Kolkata port are getting delayed due to the ensuing Dussehra, the largest festival observed in the neigbouring West Bengal.

The state chapter of exporters has urged the Paradip port authorities to use the opportunity to start exporting marine food items by providing the requisite facilities.

About 23,000 tonnes of seafood valued at Rs 886 crore was exported from Odisha during 2012-13 to various countries.

Bhubaneswar was declared as the city of export excellence for marine products in 2011 by Union ministry commerce and textiles.

Strike in Andhra Pradesh has also severely impacted the supply of essential commodities in Odisha. A large quantity of food items, particularly fish, egg and vegetable are imported from Andhra Pradesh and other southern states on daily basis.