India’s push to scale up seafood exports gathered momentum at a two-day national workshop in Visakhapatnam, where the Center and states outlined a road map to strengthen infrastructure, improve quality standards, and boost value-added exports.
Key announcements included plans to upgrade export facilities, develop a smart fishing harbor in Andhra Pradesh, and expand support for inland fisheries—seen as an untapped export opportunity.
The workshop, held on 5-6 June , brought together Union ministers, state representatives, industry bodies, and exporters to address bottlenecks and chart future growth. Leaders emphasized the need to position India as a globally trusted seafood supplier, with a sharper focus on sustainability, traceability, and innovation.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the role of the ‘Blue Economy’ in driving future growth, noting Andhra Pradesh’s leadership in fisheries production. He called for stronger collaboration across stakeholders to build a globally competitive seafood brand, backed by investment in infrastructure and aquaculture.
Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal stressed the importance of adopting advanced technologies and improving export infrastructure. He said the government is considering new quarantine and allied facilities in key hubs like Visakhapatnam to ensure compliance with global standards and facilitate smoother trade.
Fisheries minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh pointed to significant growth in the sector, with production and exports more than doubling over the past decade to 197 lakh tons and over Rs73,000 crore. However, he flagged the low export share of inland fisheries and called for standardized procedures to unlock their potential. He announced the approval of a Rs72.42-crore smart fishing harbor at Kakinada, expected to support over 12,000 jobs and enhance export capacity. It will also provide berthing facilities for about 423 vessels and cater to annual landings of around 74,448 tons.
Civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu underlined the role of logistics and air cargo in ensuring timely delivery of seafood exports. He highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen cargo networks, improve multimodal transport, and reduce costs through initiatives such as dedicated cargo hubs.
Food processing industries minister Chirag Paswan urged a shift from bulk exports to value-added products, particularly in ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook segments. He emphasized improving processing ecosystems and leveraging technology to enhance shelf life and global appeal.
Discussions during the workshop also brought out key challenges, including rising input costs, disease management, gaps in cold chain and transport infrastructure, and stringent export regulations. Stakeholders called for better access to quality inputs, improved certification systems, and diversification into high-value species.
Officials said the outcomes of the workshop would help accelerate India’s journey towards achieving ₹1 lakh crore in seafood exports, while building a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive ecosystem for the sector.
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Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
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