India's marine products industry delivered its strongest export performance on record during FY26, with seafood shipments reaching 19,72,018 metric tonnes valued at ₹73,890.46 crore ($8.46 billion). The milestone was achieved despite ongoing challenges in global markets.
Frozen shrimp remained the backbone of India's seafood exports during the year. The category generated ₹49,037.93 crore ($5,624.48 million) in export earnings and accounted for 66.52% of total dollar revenue from seafood exports. In volume terms, frozen shrimp represented 40.19% of total exports, with shipments reaching 7,92,647 metric tonnes.
According to P Jawahar, Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), exports of both L vannamei (Whiteleg shrimp) and Black Tiger shrimp recorded growth in volume as well as value during the year.
Shrimp exports registered growth of 13.16% in rupee terms and 8.64% in dollar terms, underlining continued international demand for Indian products.
The United States retained its position as the largest market for Indian seafood in value terms, importing 2,79,193 metric tonnes worth ₹20,263.27 crore ($2,328.74 million). Frozen shrimp accounted for 93.55% of the value of seafood exports to the US market.
However, exports to the country declined by 10.82% in rupee value, 14.22% in dollar value and 19.51% in volume compared with the previous year.
China emerged as the largest destination by volume, importing 4,90,369 metric tonnes of Indian seafood valued at $1,611.32 million. The European Union remained the third-largest market in value terms with imports worth $1,592.09 million, followed by Southeast Asia at $1,348.97 million.
Beyond shrimp, frozen fish remained the second-largest export category, generating ₹5,658.37 crore ($643.70 million). Dried products ranked third, earning ₹5,079.09 crore ($577.44 million), while recording a notable 78.05% increase in rupee value.
Frozen squid exports stood at 1,02,060 metric tonnes and generated ₹4,493.80 crore ($513.84 million). Frozen cuttlefish exports reached 67,157 metric tonnes, with volume growing 13.32% and dollar earnings rising 16.25% to $331.96 million.
Exports of chilled products earned ₹622.31 crore ($71.27 million), while live products recorded an 11.46% increase in dollar earnings to $62.43 million.
The movement of seafood exports was led by three major ports during FY26. Visakhapatnam Port handled the highest seafood cargo volumes, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Kochi Port.
These ports continued to play a crucial role in supporting India's growing marine exports and facilitating access to major international markets.
Read More: India Records Highest-Ever Exports of $863.11 Billion in FY26 Driven by Services Growth!
India's seafood exports reached an all-time high in FY26, with shipments valued at ₹73,890.46 crore and volumes touching 19,72,018 metric tonnes. Frozen shrimp remained the dominant export product, while the United States and China continued to be the country's most important overseas markets.
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Published on: Jun 2, 2026, 1:11 PM IST
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