Vizag has emerged as the leading port in marine exports by realising 23 per cent share in terms of value and 22 per cent in dollar realisation from April to December 2013.

Exports through the port in rupee terms were ₹4,951 crore, whereas in dollar terms, the figure is $826 million. The figures during the corresponding period last year were ₹2,617 crore and $486 million, respectively.

Pipavav is the leading port through which exports were made in terms of quantity (21 per cent) during the period. The port handled 1.46 lakh tonnes, fetching a revenue of ₹2,075 crore.

The figures released by MPEDA reveal that seafood exports through the major ports of Vizag, Chennai, Tuticorin and Mangalore have shown a marginal improvement during the period.

Exports through Kochi port also witnessed a marked improvement, with value-wise exports touching ₹3,297 crore, constituting a 15 per cent share in the total seafood exports of ₹21,829 crore. However, there was not much difference in the quantity of exports through the port compared to the corresponding period, with figures at 1.21 lakh tonnes against 1.26 lakh tonnes in April to December 2012.

Aqua farming

Seafood exporters cited the increased activity in aqua farming in southern States as the reason for the marked improvement in the performance of Kochi port in marine exports.

Norbert Karikkasseri, President, Kerala Region of Seafood Exporters Association of India, told Business Line that an increase in aqua culture activities in the East Coast of Andhra Pradesh and Tami Nadu has benefitted Kochi port in a big way in improving its value-wise performance in marine exports. This trend is likely to continue in the next season also.

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