The Hindu Business Line : Seafood exports drop 13%

Kochi, May 12 Seafood exports from India fell by 13 per cent to Rs 6,266 crore (Rs 7,224 crore) during April-January 2007-08. The prime trigger for this fall was a 13 per cent fall in value of shrimp exports. Shrimp continue to be the top export item in terms of value, fetching 54 per cent of the total export revenue.

The total quantity of export during the period fell by 18 per cent to 4,35,873 tonnes. The fall in quantity was moderately reflected in the dollar earnings which registered a marginal fall of two per cent to $ 1556 million. The major items of export were frozen shrimp which was followed by frozen fish at 17 per cent, frozen cuttle fish at 10 per cent, frozen squid at 5 per cent, dried items at 3 per cent and live and chilled items at one per cent. Other items constituted the remaining nine per cent of exports.

While there was a nominal fall of two per cent in the quantity of shrimp export, the value realized plunged by 13 per cent to Rs 3386 crore. However the dollar realization fell by a modest two per cent to $ 840 million. Frozen fish exports registered a significant fall 26 per cent in quantity and 20 per cent in rupee realization.

The European Union continued to be the biggest export destination for Indian seafood products accounting for 27 per cent of the total volume and 35 per cent in value realisation. However there was a marginal dip in both quantity and value realised from this export destination over the corresponding period of the earlier. Japan was second largest export destination with 12 per cent of the total quantity and accounting for 16 per cent of the rupee value realisation. This was closely followed by USA with 7 per cent of the total quantity and 14 per cent of the value realisation. China and South East Asia have emerged as the other two major export destinations of Indian seafood exports.

Kochi continues to be biggest port for export of seafood accounting for 18 per cent of the total value exported. This was followed by Chennai with 16 per cent, JNP Mumbai with 15 per cent and Vizag with 14 per cent. However, in quantity of seafood export Pipavav was the top port accounting for 27 per cent followed by JNP with 19 per cent, Kochi with 18 per cent and Chennai with eight per cent.

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