India exported 19,72,018 metric tons (MT) of seafood valued at ₹73,890.46 crore (US $8.46 billion) during the 2025-26 fiscal year, registering an all-time high in terms of both volume and value, Stated Shri P Jawahar, IAS, Chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
The USA and China remained the primary importers of Indian seafood during the period. Frozen shrimp continued to be the leading export product, accounting for 40.19% of the total quantity exported and 66.52% of total export earnings in US Dollar terms. A total of 7,92,647 MT of frozen shrimp valued at ₹49,037.93 crore (US $5,624.48 million) was exported during the 2025-26 fiscal year. During this period, shrimp exports increased by 13.16% in ₹ value and 8.64% in US Dollar value.
The United States, the largest market for frozen shrimp, imported 2,56,128 MT, followed by China with 1,69,505 MT, the European Union with 1,35,599 MT, Southeast Asia with 83,810 MT, Japan with 40,776 MT, the Middle East with 30,478 MT and other countries with 76,351 MT. Exports of L. vannamei and Black Tiger shrimp registered growth in both volume and value.
Frozen fish was the second largest exported item, generating ₹5,658.37 crore (US $643.70 million). Dried items emerged as the third largest exported group, earning ₹5,079.09 crore (US $577.44 million), and recorded a growth of 78.05% in value terms in Rupees.
Exports of frozen squid reached 1,02,060 MT valued at ₹4,493.80 crore (US $513.84 million). Frozen cuttlefish exports stood at 67,157 MT worth US $331.96 million, registering growth of 13.32% in quantity and 16.25% in value in US Dollar terms.
Exports of chilled items earned ₹622.31 crore (US $71.27 million), while exports of live items earned US $62.43 million, registering a growth of 11.46% in value in US Dollar terms.
In terms of overseas markets, United States remained the leading importer of Indian seafood in value terms, importing 2,79,193 MT valued at ₹20,263.27 crore (US $2,328.74 million). Exports to the United States declined by 10.82% in Rupee value, 14.22% in Dollar value and 19.51% in volume. Frozen shrimp accounted for 93.55% of India’s seafood exports to the United States in value terms.
China emerged as the largest seafood export destination from India in quantity terms, importing 4,90,369 MT worth US $1,611.32 million. The European Union remained the third largest destination in value terms, importing 2,97,518 MT worth US $1,592.09 million. South-East Asia followed with imports of 4,51,756 MT valued at US $1,348.97 million.
Japan remained the fifth largest importer in value terms, importing 1,05,228 MT worth US $452.91 million. The Middle East was the sixth largest destination in value terms, importing 76,743 MT worth US $283 million.
The top three ports handling seafood cargo during 2025-26 were Vizag, JNPT and Kochi.
