Lok Sabha Question No. 1617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Seafood Exports
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sudarshan Bhagat

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1617 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/12/2023

## SEAFOOD EXPORTS

## 1617.   SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there was an adoption of a new strategy to boost seafood exports, especially in the light of the global pandemic; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) & (b): Yes, The Government through Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), a statutory organisation under administrative control of Department of Commerce has undertaken various measures for export promotion of marine products from the country, especially in the light of the global pandemic. These measures inter-alia include participation in International trade fairs, organising BuyerSeller Meets (BSMs) both in virtual & physical mode, Reverse Buyer Seller Meets (RBSMs) and providing financial support for processing and exporting seafood based value-added products.  In order to tap export potential in new markets, MPEDA has also carried out product & country specific profiling for various seafood products. With a view to promote Ease of Doing Business for the seafood exporters, MPEDA has completely  digitized  the  process  of  issuing  export  facilitation  certificates  and  rationalized  various regulatory compliances.

Further, MPEDA has established a Nucleus Breeding Centre for the Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) Tiger Shrimp breeding project in Andaman Island which is expected to make India self-reliant and boost shrimp production as well as its exports. In order to make  Indian seafood based value added products competitive in international markets, the Government, in the Budget 2023-24 has also announced reduction

of import duty on various aquaculture inputs such as reduction of import duty from 30% to 15% on Fish lipid Oil (HS 1504 20) & Algal prime (flour) (HS 2102 2000) and from 15% to 5% on Fish meal (HS 2301 20), Krill meal (HS 2301 20) & Mineral and Vitamin Premixes (HS 2309 90 90). The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) rates have also been increased from 2.5% to 3.1% for various seafood products and maximum value cap per kg has been increased to Rs. 69.00.

MPEDA also conducts a number of training programs such as Harbour & Pre-processing centrebased  training  for  fisherfolks  on  good  handling  practices,  reduction  of  post-harvest  losses,  quality  and standards related requirements of importing countries, training on value addition in seafood exports and training on Hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) for quality control technologists etc.

As a result of these efforts, the seafood exports from India has increased from USD 5957.37 million in 2020-21 to USD 8073.03 million in 2022-23 registering a growth of 35.51%.

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