The minister said that the government is also pursuing new free trade agreements and working to improve the utilisation of existing FTAs.
The government remains engaged with all stakeholders to assess the evolving impact of the US tariff measures and continues to work towards mitigating their effects on Indian exports through a comprehensive, multi‑pronged strategy, the minister of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh, said in response to a question asked in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The minister said that the comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy included intensive engagement with the US government towards a mutually beneficial India–US bilateral trade agreement; immediate relief through RBI’s trade‑related measures and the credit guarantee scheme for exporters; enhancement of domestic demand through next‑generation GST reforms; and export‑promotion initiatives such as the new export promotion mission, which provides targeted support to exporters.
The minister said that the government is also pursuing new free trade agreements and working to improve the utilisation of existing FTAs. Through sustained efforts, the number of listed fishery establishments approved for export to the EU and Russia has increased in recent months.
The ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying (MoFAH&D) is implementing various schemes and programmes for the holistic development of the fisheries sector. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the department of fisheries, during the last five years, has approved projects with a total outlay of Rs. 21274.13 crore with a central share of Rs. 9189.74 crore for the development of fisheries and aquaculture in the country. The minister said that as a result of various well-thought-out policies and initiatives of the government, India’s seafood exports have more than doubled, from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to ₹ 62,408 crore in 2024-25.
Promoting Diversified Aquaculture
The department of fisheries, in collaboration with the marine products export development authority (MPEDA), Department of Commerce, and other stakeholders, has organised sensitisation and awareness programmes on the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), conducted stakeholder consultations, seafood exporter meet, and Chintan Shivir on value addition. The department of fisheries has also held a series of meetings with embassies and high commissions of potential partner countries to explore avenues for collaboration; strengthen bilateral trade cooperation in the fisheries sector; promote value addition; enhance biosecurity and quality compliance; advance automation; and foster R&D partnerships, while supporting broader sustainable development initiatives.
The minister said that the government is further promoting diversified aquaculture covering high‑value species such as seabass, cobia, pompano, mud crab, GIFT tilapia, grouper, P. monodon, scampi, and seaweed – with a focus on identifying new markets and deepening existing ones. Efforts include strengthening trade facilitation, enhancing export promotion through trade delegations and technical exposure visits, and organising buyer–seller meets.
The minister said that the government continuously monitors India’s marine product exports and has undertaken several measures to support and enhance the sector’s performance. As reported by the directorate general of commercial intelligence and statistics (DGCIS), department of commerce, marine product exports from India have shown significant growth during the first seven months of the current financial year (April–October 2025). During this period, export value stood at ₹42,322 crore (USD 4.87 billion), reflecting a 21% increase over ₹35,107.6 crore (USD 4.20 billion) recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. Export volumes also grew by 12%, rising from 9.62 lakh metric tonnes to 10.73 lakh metric tonnes.
