Frozen shrimps help seafood exports reach all time high in 2016-17

Seafood export volume: 11,34,948 mn tonnes; Earnings: $5.78 bn of which Vannamei shrimps make up 64%

Burgeoning export of home-grown shrimps have boosted seafood exports to its highest ever extent in 2016-17.

Official figures released by the Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) on Wednesday showed seafood exports reaching a record high of 11,34,948 million tonnes as well as earning a record $5.78 billion mainly due to rapid growth in frozen shrimp and fish shipments.

Frozen shrimp of the Vannamei variety maintained its position as the top exported item, accounting for more than 64 per cent of the total earnings. Shrimp exports increased by more than 20 per cent in spite of growing opposition US based shrimp farmers