India Aims for Nearly Fourfold Rise in Fisheries Exports to $30 Billion in Five Years

On 6 June 2026, the Union commerce and industry minister set a target of raising India's fisheries exports to more than $30 billion over the next five years, up from about $8.45 billion at present. Speaking at a national workshop on seafood exports in Visakhapatnam, he urged the industry to focus on adding value to products, building strong brands and following sustainable fishing methods rather than simply exporting raw produce.

According to figures shared at the event, India's fisheries exports have grown by about 70 per cent since 2013-14, rising from around $5 billion to roughly $8.5 billion, growing faster than world seafood trade, which expanded from about $150 billion to $164 billion in the same period. The minister said India has the potential to become a global leader in the sector, but stressed the need for responsible and regulated fishing, including allowing small fish to regenerate so that fish stocks are not depleted.

The Department of Fisheries is exploring a dedicated production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for micro, small and medium enterprises in the seafood sector to improve global competitiveness, strengthen export infrastructure, encourage new technology, support research and promote value addition. Officials said that approval by the European Union for exports from more than 125 Indian fisheries units in the last financial year helped offset losses caused by high US tariffs. Despite US tariffs of around 55.8 per cent, Indian exporters expanded shipments to the European Union, Japan, China and Southeast Asia.

India's seafood exports reached a record Rs 73,890.46 crore (about $8.45 billion) in 2025-26, with volumes of 19.72 lakh tonnes, and the sector now aims to cross Rs 1 lakh crore. The United States and China remained the largest markets, while frozen shrimp continued to be the leading export item. Andhra Pradesh, the country's largest fish-producing and seafood-exporting state, recorded aquaculture production of 55.39 lakh tonnes in 2025-26 and accounts for about 66 per cent of India's shrimp exports; a regional office of the National Fisheries Board is likely to be set up there. Officials also spoke of expanding cargo airport infrastructure and exploring a 'One Airport, One Product' idea to boost exports.

For exams, this topic links to the Blue Revolution, the PLI scheme, value addition and branding in exports, the importance of diversifying export markets to reduce tariff risk, and the role of states such as Andhra Pradesh in aquaculture and shrimp exports.