Onward and Upward For Indian Seafood.

Indian seafood exports have come a long way in the past three decades, registering phenomenal growth from a modest US $8.25 million in 1972-73 to over $1.3 billion in 1997-98.

Today, Indian seafood finds its way to more than 60 seafood consuming countries around the globe. Japan, the USA, the European Union, Southeast Asian countries and the Middle East consume 90% of India's exports. The rich, unpolluted waters of India, ranked as the eighth largest fishing nation in the world, are the source of the finest varieties of seafood ranging from lobster to mackerel. India has a comparative advantage in shrimp and cephalopods and it is one of the largest exporters of these products. Indian shrimp continues to be a hot favorite in Japan, the USA and the European Union. Last year, India emerged as the country supplying the largest quantity of shrimp to Japan.

India's well developed processing infrastructure and vast marine and aquaculture resources are its major strengths. Considering the fact that only 20% of its processing capacity and 10% of its aquaculture potential are utilized at present, the potentialities for expansion are immense. The industry is making untiring efforts to be HACCP compliant, and it has already made significant strides in this direction. Quality has become an obsession and the drive for quality continues unabated.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Export Inspection Agency work in tandem with the industry in this phenomenal effort. Today, over 80 plants have been approved to export to the European Union, and India's presence in the European market is stronger than ever. Exports to the EU registered 66% and 113% growth in the last two years over the 1997-98 period. Furthermore, Indian exports are poised to rush ahead of the pre-1997 levels. Meanwhile, activity in the USA is extremely buoyant.

India is well on its way to becoming a leading aquaculture nation. It is a matter of great pride that eco-friendliness has become the gospel of our aqauculturists. With its unique qualities, Indian black tiger shrimp has caught the attention of discerning buyers everywhere.

India's product portfolio, with its ever-expanding list of value-added products, will continue to offer exciting business opportunities to seafood buyers. The MPEDA and the Indian Seafood Industry are working toward long-term strategies that will enable India to take its exports to the $2 billion mark in the next few years.

It is indeed remarkable that the Quick Frozen Foods International has found it worthwhile to take a close look at the Indian seafood industry and share what has been discovered in India with the seafood fraternity all over the world. The visibility that Indian seafood has attained is no less due to the visionary leadership of the industry under the banner of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, which has been helping MPEDA in formulating policies for the future of the industry.