The Hindu Business Line : Seafood exports up 11 pc in 2004-05

SEAFOOD exports increased 11 per cent to a record $1.47 billion in 2004-05, helped by the emergence of the European Union as the largest buyer of the country's marine products.

This is the first time the EU has edged past the US and Japan - the two largest traditional markets for Indian seafood. The export of $1.47 billion is the highest the industry has ever grossed in dollar terms.

The EU contributed 27.42 per cent in value terms to the total exports. The US, which has imposed anti-dumping duties on Indian shrimp, came second with a 23.37-per cent share. Japan occupied the next slot with an 18 per cent share.

Total volumes showed an increase of 12 per cent to 4.61 lakh tonnes, while in rupee terms, the exports were pegged at Rs 6,647 crore - a growth of 9 per cent, according to Mr G. Mohan Kumar, Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority. However, the average unit value at $3.20 was a shade lower than the previous year's $3.23.

Mr Kumar attributed the overall growth to the EU's appetite for Indian seafood and healthy increase in exports of items such as frozen squid (up 32 per cent in value terms), frozen cuttle fish (up 10.51 per cent) and frozen fish (up 24 per cent).

Frozen shrimp, the largest item in the export basket with a share of 63 per cent in value terms, grew 7 per cent during the fiscal, Mr Kumar said.

Exports to the US hit by duties, tsunami: While the exports to EU rose 27 per cent in dollar terms to $405 million during the year, Japan recorded a growth of 5 per cent ($267 million). But exports to the US declined by 5.55 per cent to $345.5 million.

"The decline was mainly due to the anti-dumping duty imposed by the US Government on import of frozen shrimp from India," Mr Kumar said.

According to Mr A.J. Tharakan, National President of Seafood Exporters Association of India, the impact of tsunami was another reason for the drop in exports to the US, as shrimp resources were damaged. The US is now reviewing the anti-dumping duties on India in the wake of the tsunami disaster.

Exports to China, South-East Asia and West Asia also increased in 2004-05.

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