Lok Sabha Question No. 1550 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Export of Marine Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Vinayak Bhaurao Raut

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1550 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th   FEBRUARY, 2021

## EXPORT OF MARINE PRODUCTS

## 1550(H). SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वा�ण�य एवं उ�योग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the  view  of  the  Government  regarding  the  export  of  marine  products  from  the  country during COVID-19 pandemic; and
- (b) the details of the impact of COVID-19 on marine exports from January, 2020 to January 2021, month-wise?

## ANSWER

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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) During  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  demand  for marine  products  in the  global  market including by the  U.S., China, Japan, EU, etc., has been adversely affected, due to the frequent lock-downs effected in major markets and closure of restaurants, supermarkets, institutional catering, etc. The domestic production and export were also affected due to loss of fishing days, skipping of crops by aqua-farmers and logistics issues including shortage of reefer containers, diminished air-cargo connectivity, nonavailability of courier service and delay in documentation and clearance in importing countries.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has taken  a series of steps like digitization of export certificates, release of a COVID-19 protocol booklet and a  video  to  sensitize  the  marine  industry,  holding  online  buyer-seller  meets,  bilateral engagements in major markets like U.S., EU, China, etc., for increasing marine exports from the country. The Dept. of Fisheries have also rolled out the flagship programme of  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana (PMMSY), targeting  creation  of  critical infrastructure for fishery production with focus on export-oriented species.

b) Month-wise exports of marine products from January 2020 to January 2021 are given below:

## Month-wise exports of marine products Jan 2020 to Jan 2021

(Value in USD Million)

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| Month                 |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |   Growth% |
|-----------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| January               |    429.75 |    427.41 |     -0.54 |
| February              |    421.78 |    441.52 |      4.68 |
| March                 |    507.25 |    368.27 |    -27.4  |
| April                 |    490.14 |    296.85 |    -39.44 |
| May                   |    525.54 |    430.12 |    -18.16 |
| June                  |    521.74 |    497.05 |     -4.73 |
| July                  |    605.33 |    504.9  |    -16.59 |
| August                |    609.93 |    470.11 |    -22.92 |
| September             |    644.86 |    675.14 |      4.7  |
| October               |    729.42 |    666.17 |     -8.67 |
| November              |    689.65 |    496.94 |    -27.94 |
| December              |    624.88 |    525.93 |    -15.83 |
| January (provisional) |    427.41 |    406.97 |     -4.78 |

(Source: MPEDA)

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