India sets ambitious $30 billion seafood export target by 2031
India aims to nearly quadruple its seafood export value from about $8.5 billion in FY 2025-26 to $30 billion by 2031. This target was announced in June 2026 during a national workshop in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The strategy involves improving production quality, expanding market access through nine new Free Trade Agreements with developed countries, and upgrading infrastructure such as cold chains at major ports like Kochi and Visakhapatnam. Shrimp is a major export product, and Andhra Pradesh accounts for 66% of shrimp exports. The plan emphasizes sustainability certifications (ASC and BAP), digital traceability through the National Traceability Framework launched on World Fisheries Day 2025, and expansion of deep-sea fishing within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana supports fisheries development and infrastructure projects such as a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Kakinada.
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Key Facts
- Target seafood export value: USD 30 billion by 2031 (from USD 8.45 billion in FY 2025-26)
- Export volume in FY 2025-26: 19.72 lakh metric tonnes
- Main export products include shrimp, fish, molluscs, other marine products
- Announcement made at National Workshop on Seafood Exports, Visakhapatnam, June 2026
- Andhra Pradesh accounts for 66% of shrimp exports and 55.39 lakh tonnes of aquaculture production (2025-26)
- Nine Free Trade Agreements with developed countries to expand market access
- Certification standards prioritized: ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices)
- National Traceability Framework launched on World Fisheries Day 2025 for digital tracking and compliance
- Cold-chain infrastructure being upgraded at Kochi and Visakhapatnam ports
- Plan includes expansion of deep-sea fishing within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), focusing on tuna and other high-value species
- Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour approved for Kakinada under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) launched in 2020 for fisheries development and aquaculture modernization, implemented till 2024-25
- India’s EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from baseline as per United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Background & Context
India's marine product exports grew from about USD 5 billion in FY 2014 to USD 8.45 billion in FY 2025-26, outpacing global fisheries trade growth. The sector’s growth strategy includes enhancing production quality, market access, and post-harvest infrastructure. Sustainability and certification standards such as ASC and BAP play an important role in accessing premium global markets. The National Traceability Framework launched in 2025 enables digital tracking to ensure compliance and traceability. Cold chain infrastructure upgrades at key ports improve preservation and export quality. Deep-sea fishing is expanding within India’s EEZ under new sustainable fishing rules for high-value species, supporting blue economy and livelihoods. The PM Matsya Sampada Yojana focuses on strengthening fisheries infrastructure and welfare of fishers.
Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance
This topic is relevant for questions on India's economic initiatives, blue economy, fisheries sector development, export promotion, and sustainability. Important for understanding government schemes like the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, India's maritime zones including the Exclusive Economic Zone, trade agreements impact, and infrastructure development related to fisheries. Awareness of key figures, dates, policies, and international certifications is valuable for competitive exams covering current affairs, economy, and agriculture sectors.
Points to Remember
- Seafood export target of USD 30 billion by 2031, up from USD 8.45 billion in FY 2025-26
- National workshop announcing target held in Visakhapatnam, June 2026
- Shrimp is a major export item; Andhra Pradesh contributes 66% of shrimp exports
- Focus on Free Trade Agreements to expand market access
- National Traceability Framework for digital tracking started on World Fisheries Day 2025
- Certification standards ASC and BAP ensure sustainability and quality
- Cold chain infrastructure upgraded at Kochi and Visakhapatnam ports
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana supports fisheries infrastructure and welfare, including new fishing harbour at Kakinada
- India’s EEZ extends 200 nautical miles per UNCLOS, critical for deep-sea fishing resources
Sources & Further Reading
| Document / Website | Link |
|---|---|
| India sets $30 billion seafood export target by 2031 | Open India sets $30 billion seafood export target by 2031 ↗www.gktoday.in |
| India aims to nearly quadruple seafood exports to $30 billion by 2031: Piyush Goyal - CNBC TV18 | Open India aims to nearly quadruple seafood exports to $30 billion by 2031: Piyush Goyal - CNBC TV18 ↗www.cnbctv18.com |
| Centre notifies Rules for Sustainable Fishing in Exclusive Economic Zone to boost blue economy, empower coastal communities | Open Centre notifies Rules for Sustainable Fishing in Exclusive Economic Zone to boost blue economy, empower coastal communities ↗ddnews.gov.in |
| Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana | Department of Fisheries, MoCIT, GoI | Open Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana | Department of Fisheries, MoCIT, GoI ↗pmmsy.dof.gov.in |