Marine exports remain flat in volume terms

Marine products export from India during the April-September period of the current financial year remained almost flat in terms of quantity at 312,904 tonne worth Rs 6,679.57 crore ($1,496.34 million). Compared with the same period previous year, exports recorded a growth of just 0.12 per cent in volume, 19.91 per cent in rupee value and 23.01 per cent growth in dollar.

According to the provisional data of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (Mpeda), there was a marked increase in the export of frozen shrimp, which was due to a sharp rise in the production of Vannamei shrimp.

India has consolidated its position as a major supplier of frozen shrimp to the Japanese market and exports to the US market also showed increasing trend. A shortfall in the supply from other major producers like Thailand and Vietnam helped the exporters grab a sizable chunk of exports to the US market. Also, fall in production of shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico due to the oil sleek made Indian items dearer in the US.

Major items of export
Frozen shrimp continued to be the major export item accounting for 58.41 per cent of the total $ earnings. Shrimp exports during the period increased 19.34 per cent, 32.90 per cent and 36.74 per cent in quantity, rupee and $ value respectively.

Fish, the second largest export item in value term, accounted for about 28 per cent of total quantity and 11.87 per cent in $ earnings.

Major markets
The European Union (EU) continued to be the largest market with a share of 23.82 per cent in dollar and 22.62 per cent in volume. Exports to the EU grew 9.81 per cent in $ terms and 6.81 per cent in rupee.

The US regained the second place with a share of 23.30 per cent, followed by Southeast Asia 20.12 per cent, Japan 15.60 per cent, China 4.98 per cent and West Asia with 3.95 per cent. Exports to the US registered a growth of 55.45 per cent in $ realisation and 41.26 per cent in terms of quantity. Increase in export of frozen shrimp, especially Vannamei, and reduction in anti-dumping duty contributed to the growth. Exports to Japan also registered a growth of 3.76 per cent in volume and 8.64 per cent in $ term.