Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

13-December-2011 12:11 IST

As per the provisional figures, the export of marine products from India during April to September 2011 was 312904 tonnes in quantity, worth Rs. 6679.57crore equivalent to US Dollar 1496.34 million. 

Compared to the same period in previous year, the exports recorded a growth of 0.12% in quantity, 19.91% in rupee earning and 23.01% growth in US$ earning as shown below.

Overall Exports during (Apr-SEP) 2011-12 compared to 2010-11

There is considerable increase in export of Frozen Shrimp.  Increased production of vannamei Shrimp is mainly attributed for this increase. Frozen Fish exports also showed an increase.

India has consolidated its position as a major supplier of frozen shrimp to Japanese market during this period. Our shrimp exports to US market also showed an increasing trend despite its decision to continue with the antidumping duty imposed on frozen shrimp imports from India. Though there was a shortage in supply from other major producers like Thailand and Vietnam, it is noticed that the buyers and customers seems to have confidence in Indian shrimp supply.

Major items of export

Frozen Shrimp continued to be the major export item accounting for 58.41% of the total US $ earnings.  Shrimp exports during the period increased by 19.34%, 32.90% and 36.74% in quantity, rupee value and US$ value respectively. There is a remarkable increase in unit value realization (14.58%) also.

Export of Fr. Shrimp to USA has registered a growth of 47.19% in volume, 53.55% in rupee value and 58.74% in US$ terms. Fr. Shrimp export to Japan also showed an increase of 2.5%, 7.73% and 10.30% in volume, rupee value and US$ value respectively. Export of vannamei Shrimp during the period increased tremendously by 495%, 692% and 721% in quantity, rupee value and US$ value respectively, when compared to the same period last year.

Fish, the second largest export item in value term, accounted for a share of about 28% in quantity and 11.87% in US$ earnings.  Fish exports increased by 5.95%, 14.14%, 16.81% in Quantity, Value and US $ terms.

Fr. Squid and Cuttlefish exports though decreased in quantity, showed an increase in value earnings. Fr. Cuttlefish showed a decline of 6.18% in quantity and showed a growth of 15.25% and 18.49% in rupee value and US$ realization. The unit value realization grew by 26.30%.

Fr. Squid exports showed a decline of 2.36% in quantity and showed a growth of 28.20% and 31.37% in rupee value and US$ realization with a considerable increase in the unit value realization (34.54%).

Dried marine product exports declined by 51.96% in quantity, 61.27% and 60.53% in rupee and US$ value respectively. Similarly Live and Chilled items exports also gone down when compared to same period last year.  The details are given below. 

Major markets of export

European Union (EU) continued to be the largest market with a share of 23.82% in US $ realization and 22.62% in quantity. Exports to EU have shown a growth of 9.81% in US$ realization and 6.81% in rupee value However, there is a decline of 5.37% in quantity.

USA regained the second place with a share of 23.30%, followed by South East Asia 20.12%, Japan 15.60%, China 4.98%, Middle East 3.95% and Other Countries 8.23%.

Exports to USA registered a growth of 55.45% in US$ realization and 41.26% in terms of quantity.  Increase in export of Fr. Shrimp, especially vannamei shrimp contributed to the growth. Export to Japan also registered a positive growth of 3.76% in quantity and 8.64% in US$ term.  South East Asian countries had also registered an increase of 21.67% in quantity and 84.21% in US$ realization. Exports to China and Middle East have declined both in terms of quantity and rupee value compared to the same period in previous year. The details are given below. 

The weakening of Indian Rupee has helped the Indian seafood exporters to get better realization for their products. The sales to South East Asia and China expected to recover during the second half of the current financial year ahead of the Chinese New Year that falls on 23^rd January 2012. With the country reporting good farm produce and better landings, it is assumed that the positive trend is expected to continue with the supplies for Christmas and New Year sales is already in place.

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DS/gk

Marine product export performance shows broad growth led by frozen shrimp and vannamei expansion, boosting foreign exchange earnings. India's marine exports for April-September 2011 amounted to 312,904 tonnes, showing 0.12% volume growth alongside about 19.9% growth in rupee earnings and 23% growth in US dollar earnings. Frozen shrimp, led by a rapid increase in vannamei production, was the principal driver of value growth and higher unit realisations. Market shifts included strong gains to the United States and South East Asia, continued EU dominance by value, and declines to China and the Middle East; a weaker rupee supported better foreign currency realisations.