Marine product exports reach $2.84 bn

Export of marine products in 2010-11 touched the $ 2.84 billion, registering a growth of 18.96 per cent in quantity, 27.64 per cent in rupee value and 33.17 per cent in dollar realisation compared to the previous year, according to Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

This is the first time that the exports of marine products crossed $ 2.8 billion mark. The average unit value realisation has also gone up 11.94 per cent.

During the year, a total quantity of 813,091 tonnes, valued at Rs 12,901.47 crore ($ 2.8 billion) were shipped as against 678,436 tonnes valued at Rs 10,048.53 crore ($ 2.1 billion) in 2009-10.

 

There is considerable increase in export of frozen shrimp and frozen squid during the period. Large-scale production of Vannamei in addition to the high productivity of black tiger shrimp and increased landing of squid might be attributed for the increase in exports.

According to MPEDA, frozen shrimp continued to be the major export item from India accounting 44.26 per cent of the total dollar earnings. The overall shrimp exports during the year increased 15.4 per cent, 36.21 per cent and 42.36 per cent in quantity, rupee value and dollar value, respectively.

The unit value realization of shrimp increased 23.36 per cent during FY 11. Export of frozen shrimp to USA has registered a tremendous growth of 85.6 per cent in volume and 139.92 per cent in dollar terms. Shrimp export to Japan also showed an increase of 17.03 per cent, and 40 per cent in volume and dollar value respectively. Export of Vannamei shrimp had increased to 11,896 tonnes.

Major markets
European Union continued to be the largest market with a share of 26.66 per cent in dollar realisation. USA regained the second spot with a share of 15.4 per cent, followed by southeast Asia with a share of 16.42 per cent, China with 15.45 per cent, Japan 13.14 per cent, West Asia 5.17 per cent and other countries with 7.79 per cent.

Total exports to USA registered a remarkable growth of 104.78 per cent in dollar realization and 48.99 per cent in terms of volume. Increase in export of shrimp and squid contributed to the growth.

Exports to Japan also registered a growth of 12.85 per cent in quantity and 33.96 per cent in dollar terms. Export of all items except chilled item showed an increasing trend in the Japanese market.

Southeast Asian countries also registered a growth of 55.08 per cent in volume and 48.09 per cent in dollar realisation. Export to China showed only an increase of 9.89 per cent in quantity and 15.54 per cent in dollar terms. Export to west Asian markets also showed an increase of 24.90 per cent in quantity and 25.31 per cent in dollar realisation.