Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

26-August-2011 16:12 IST

Marine Products Exports Touches 2.8 Billion in 2010-11 Frozen Shrimp Major Export item Accounting for 44.17%

As per the figures released by the Marine Products Export Development Authority during 2010-11 for the first time marine products export earnings have crossed 2.8 billion US dollars. Exports aggregated to 8,13,091 tonnes valued at Rs. 12,901.47 crore and US dollar 2,856.92 million. Compared to the previous year, seafood exports recorded a growth of 19.85% in quantity, 28.39% in rupee and 33.95% growth in US$ earnings respectively. The increased production of Vannamei shrimp, increased productivity of Black tiger shrimp and better price realization of major items like Cuttlefish, Shrimp and Squid helped us to gain such a higher export turnover.

Frozen Shrimp continued to be the major export value item accounting for 44.17% of the total US $ earnings. Shrimp exports during the period increased by 16.02%, 36.72% and 42.90% in quantity, rupee value and US$ value respectively. Fish, has retained its position as the principal export item in quantity terms and the second largest export item in value terms, accounted for a share of about 38.42% in quantity and 20.42% in US$ earnings.

Fr. Cuttlefish recorded a growth of 19.56% in rupee value and 25% in US dollar terms. Unit value also increased by 34.18%, however, there is a decline in quantity (6.84%). Items like dried items, live items and chilled items showed an increase in US $ terms compared to the previous year. Export of Fr. Squid showed a remarkable increase in quantity 42.53%, 62.31% in rupee value & 69.14% in US dollar realization. Unit value also increased by 18.67%.

European Union (EU) continued to be the largest market with a share of 26.78% in US $ realization. Followed by South East Asia 16.43%, China with a share of 15.41%, USA 15.35%, Japan 13.06%, Middle East 5.19% and Other Countries 7.79%. The export to the US market shown an exponential growth of 50% in quantity, 97% in rupee value and 105% in US$ terms, unit value also increased by 8.75% compared to the last year. The Marine Products exports have strengthened India’s presence in Southeast Asia and Middle East where the increase in quantity has been 57% and 26% respectively. There is a significant increase in exports to African countries in comparison to previous year.

The officers at MPEDA are upbeat as the growth was amidst the scenario of continuing recession in the international markets, debt crisis in EU economies, continuing antidumping duty in US and the sluggish growth in US economy, political instability in the Arab world. MPEDA envisage an ambitious target of 4 Billion US$ Marine Products Exports for the year 2011-12. Increased production of L.Vannamei shrimp, increase in infrastructure facilities for production of Value added items and the regaining pace of Japanese arket after tsunami etc. are the helping factor to achieve this target.

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DS

Marine product exports post robust growth led by shrimp and market diversification, prompting an elevated national export target. Marine products exports in 2010-11 rose to 813,091 tonnes and exceeded US$ 2.8 billion, led by frozen shrimp as the principal value item; growth was driven by expanded Vannamei shrimp production, improved Black tiger shrimp productivity, higher unit values for key species, and stronger price realization. Fish remained the largest export by quantity. Market diversification saw the EU as the largest market by value with strong increases to the US, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa. MPEDA set an export target of US$ 4 billion for 2011-12.