Marine products exports from Odisha to grow 20% in FY14: MPEDA

Exports stood a Rs 793 cr in 2012-13

Exports of marine products from Odisha are expected to log 20% growth this fiscal, according to estimates of Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA).

Marine products exports from the state were valued at Rs 903 cr in 2012-13, an increase of 13.87% over Rs 792.75 crore in 2011-12.

"We expect 20% growth in marine products exports from Odisha in 2013-14. Export figure from the state is likely to touch $200 million in this fiscal”, said N Ramesh, director (marketing), MPEDA.

Ramesh said marine products exports from Odisha were mostly in the frozen shrimp category and exporters from the state had an over dependence on the US market.

He was speaking at an interactive session on 'Expanding Horizons of Fishery Sector in Odisha' organized jointly by trade body- Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci) and Industrial Promotion & Investment Corporation of Odisha Ltd (Ipicol).

Speaking on the occasion, Leena Nair, chairman of MPEDA said, “A large chunk of marine products exports from Odisha comes from the shrimps but it has been stagnating for the past two years. Exports from the state can be increased through aquaculture. The state government has notified a land lease policy. This policy is very critical for the aquaculture sector. But there must be monitoring at the level of the chief secretary to oversee the implementation of this policy.”

"The district authorities need to come out with a master plan for the aquaculture sector. Infrastructure is the other liability which the marine food sector suffers from in Odisha. There is also the issue of lack of scientific farming except in Balasore and Bhadrak districts”, she added.

Gorachand Mohanty, president, Seafood Exporters' Association of India (Odisha region) said, “Odisha's share of total marine products exports from the country is less than five%. Of this, share of frozen shrimp is over 90%.”
Commenting on bottlenecks to export growth, Mohanty said, “Marine products exporters from Odisha are battling multiple problems. Banks in the state are reluctant to provide finance for shrimp culture. Though the state government has approved the land lease policy for fish and shrimp farming, it is yet to be implemented. Moreover, Paradeep Port Trust (PPT) has to be more pro-active in providing refer container facilities for the exporters.”