Fish production in the country is set to cross the 13-million tonne (mt) mark by 2016 from the current level of over 9 million tonne, according to a study on fisheries brought out by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
With appropriate incentives coupled with robust investments in infrastructure, fish production in India can grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7 per cent during the course of next four-five years from the current level of over 3.5 per cent CAGR, the study titled ‘Fisheries – A Prize Catch in Indian Export Basket’ stated.
The study, however, stated that bottlenecks in distribution, low annual average production together with inadequate infrastructure including rural roads and cold storage are hampering the growth of fisheries sector in India.
In this context, the apex industry body suggested formation of a separate ministry of fisheries to deal with the major stumbling blocks.
The study report was jointly released here on Tuesday by Assocham Southern Regional Council chairman, Ravindra Sannareddy, along with national secretary general, DS Rawat.
Sannareddy said Indian marine waters were home to over 1,700 fish species, including 200 commercially significant species. The sector employs over 15 million people and fish eaters account for over half of India’s total population.
According to the study, about 67 per cent of the total fish produced in India is consumed in fresh form due to low demand for value-added fish products and about 6 per cent is converted into fishmeal. Processed and dried fish account for 16 per cent while a very small portion of less than one per cent is canned.
At present, domestic demand for all types of fish (including fresh and processed) is stated to be about 7.5 mt and is likely to cross the 10 mt mark by 2016. Globally, India’s share in fisheries production is about 5 per cent.
Export demand is placed at 8 to 10 per cent of the total fish production in India. In value terms, India’s total fisheries exports is about $3 billion and is expected to reach about $4.7 billion by 2014.
With less than a million tonne exported, India's exports currently account for a meagre 2 per cent of the global trade in this sector. The global fish trade is estimated at $138 billion with China, Norway and Thailand occupying the top three slots.
Amid leading coastal states in India, West Bengal is the top producer of fish with 1.61 mt followed by Andhra Pradesh with over 1.35 mt annually.
