Growth and export performance of fish and fish products from India

Fishery sector provides livelihood to about 16 million fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and almost twice the number along the value chain. India is the second largest fish producing and second largest aquaculture nation in the world after China. The fish production in the country has increased from 3.84 MMT in 1990-91 to 13.76 MMT in 2018-19, registering an annual growth rate of 4.05 per cent. Fish and fish products during 2019-20 emerged as the largest group in agricultural exports from India, with 1328991 MT in terms of quantity and Rs.47618 crore in value terms. USA and South East Asia are the major export markets for Indian seafood with a share of 34.81 per cent and 22.67 per cent, respectively in value terms during 2018-19. Frozen shrimp remained the major export item (68%) followed by frozen fish (11%). At present India is contributing about 7.73 per cent of the global fish production and 4 per cent of the global fish trade. Efforts should be made by States to enhance fish production and productivity through application of technology and formation of Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs) to cater small pond holder's needs. There is a need to promote market, trade and export of globally competitive fish and value-added fish products benchmarking with global standards. Further, post-harvest infrastructure including cold chain for reduction of post-harvest fisheries losses needs to be developed and strengthened. Requisite infrastructure such as processing plants, cold storages, ice plants, freezing and packing plants, value addition, fish and fisheries products transportation vehicles including refrigerated and insulated vehicles, ice flaking and ice crushing units, ice/fish holding boxes, warehouses etc. should be established and modernised. The outbreak of COVID-19 is expected to have a negative impact on fisheries trade among key exporters and importers in 2020.