Trade competitiveness of fish and aquatic invertebrates (Crustaceans and molluscs) in India

India is, the second largest fish producer in the world with a total production of 13.7 million metric tonnes (2018-19) consistent growth in the total GVA with 1.07 per cent GDP contribution and providing employment to 14 million people. The study was conducted on Trade competitiveness of Fish and aquatic Invertebrates (Crustaceans and molluscs) in India. Past ten-year data pertaining to export and import of marine products. To analyze the export (EUV) and import unit value (IUV) competitiveness among fish and aquatic invertebrates. IUV of Live fish ('0301) was found to be 9.18 USD million/tonnes which was less than its EUV (7.7 USD million /tonnes) and for crustaceans, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine ('0306), EUV was 7.24 USD million /tonnes which was less than IUV (10.94 USD million /tonnes). Thus, in both products India need to enhance the export of fish and aquatic invertebrates for competitiveness. To analysis of Revealed comparative Advantages (RCA) it shows more competitive advantages in crustaceans (9.15) followed by molluscs (2.92) and frozen fish (1.14). In both export and import of fish and aquatic invertebrates, high instability index was found in case of live fish, other aquatic invertebrates and frozen fish due to high perishability, higher transportation cost, high tariffrate (25 %) and consumer reluctance. Analysis of Terms of Trade indicated that export of fish and aquatic invertebrates bearing Hs codes '0306, '0307, '0303 and '0302 were export expenses than imports. Fish and aquatic invertebrates bearing Hs codes '0305, '0304 and '0301 showed deterioration in Terms of Trade and hence, import is more expenses than exports.