Major Boost for Indian Seafood Exports: EU Approves 102 New Fishery Establishments

KOCHI:

In a momentous development that would help the country’s resilient seafood sector make deeper inroads in European markets and help cushion the impact of US tariffs, the European Union has approved 102 additional fishery establishments for the export of India’s marine products to EU member countries.

With this, the number of EU-approved Indian seafood export units has increased from 538 to 604 — marking an enormous step forward in enhancing India’s presence in the highly lucrative European seafood market.

This landmark achievement came after a string of parleys Commerce Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and his senior ministry officials held with their EU counterparts, aimed at bolstering confidence in India’s robust seafood control mechanisms.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) also played a crucial role in this deal through their sustained and coordinated efforts in strengthening food safety standards across the seafood value chain.

Welcoming the salutary development, MPEDA Chairman D V Swamy said it is a significant milestone which underscores India’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of food safety from primary production to export.

“The limitation in the number of EU-approved fishery establishments was a major impediment for our seafood exports to EU. The listing of more units gives a huge opportunity to our exporters to significantly increase their presence in the competitive European seafood market through quality and diversification of products,” he pointed out.

The major markets for Indian marine products among EU member states are Belgium, Spain, and Italy. The India–EFTA Trade Agreement coming into force on 1st October 2025 is also expected to enhance market access to EFTA nations such as Norway and Switzerland.

MPEDA’s initiatives for promoting marine food exports include field-level sensitization on the importance of Good Management Practices (GMPs) in aquaculture, implementation of traceability measures such as farm enrolment, residue monitoring through Pre-Harvest Testing (PHT), and adherence to HACCP protocols from production to processing.

The seafood exporting community greeted the news with jubilation.

Dr Manoj Sharma, MD of Mayank Aquaculture Private Limited (MAPL), Olpad, Gujarat, a leading shrimp farmer and restaurateur, tweeted, “Huge thanks to MPEDA for their tireless efforts in securing new EU approval for 102 shrimp processing plants. This achievement will undoubtedly boost India’s shrimp exports to Europe, benefiting our industry.”

Santhosh Prabu of Island Exports, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, said, “We’ve been trying to get EU approval through various platforms. The approval has now finally come through sustained efforts of MPEDA and EIC.”

Vijay Gopal, of Basu International, Kolkata, said the tariff issues with USA was both a challenge and opportunity as it impelled us to venture into new markets such as the EU. “We thank MPEDA for giving us continuous guidance and support,” he added.

“Back in 2023 we applied for EU approval and finally it has come. We are very excited to enter the EU with confidence and we look forward to strong business ahead, said Abdullah Mehta- Elaf Cold Storage, Taloja, Maharashtra.

Echoing similar sentiments, Kesavan of S V Seafood, Tuticorin; Pavan Tiwari, Senior Executive, Ashadeep Aquaculture Pvt. Ltd., Bhubaneswar; Gnanaraja of Deva Seafood, Tuticorin: Niyas Koya, Ms/ Frontline Exports; and Durgesh Khorava, Director, Nishiindo Foods Pvt Ltd, Veraval, Gujarat, lauded the efforts of MPEDA and EIC in helping their companies get listed in the EU.

India shipped 16,98,170 metric tonnes of seafood worth Rs 62,408.45 crore (US$ 7.45 billion) during 2024-25, with frozen shrimp sustaining its prominence as the top exported item in terms of quantity and value amid the USA and China turning out to be the major importers of the country’s seafood.

The EU is the third-largest seafood export destination for India, accounting for 15.10% of India’s total exports. The exports to the EU were 215,080 MT worth Rs. 9429.56 Crore (USD 1125.60 million) during 2024-2025 and showed a positive trend in quantity and value. The major items of export to the EU were shrimp, cuttlefish, and squid in frozen form.

The EU imported marine products worth USD 67.84 billion during 2024, of which India’s share was 1.50% only. India has significant potential to improve the exports of frozen shrimp, frozen cephalopods, other prepared and preserved value-added products of shrimps, Tuna etc., and the listing of additional units will provide a boost to such trade trends.