India's seafood export sector has achieved a historic milestone, recording its highest-ever export earnings of $8.46 billion (₹73,890.46 crore) in FY25-26, underscoring the resilience of the country's marine products industry amid global trade uncertainties, tariff pressures, and geopolitical disruptions.

Even as the administration of US President Donald Trump imposed a series of tariffs affecting Indian exports, American consumers continued to show a strong preference for India's popular Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei) and Black Tiger shrimp varieties, keeping the United States firmly entrenched as the country's largest seafood market by value.

According to data released by the Kochi-based Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), India exported 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT) of seafood during FY25-26, marking an all-time high in both volume and value.

Frozen shrimp remained the undisputed star performer, generating export earnings of ₹49,037.93 crore ($5.62 billion). The product accounted for 40.19% of total seafood export volume and an impressive 66.52% of India's total seafood export earnings in dollar terms. Shrimp exports registered a growth of 13.16% in rupee value and 8.64% in dollar value compared with the previous year.

A total of 7,92,647 MT of frozen shrimp was exported during the year, with the United States and China emerging as the top destinations. The US imported 2,56,128 MT of frozen shrimp, followed by China with 1,69,505 MT. Other major markets included the European Union (1,35,599 MT), Southeast Asia (83,810 MT), Japan (40,776 MT), the Middle East (30,478 MT), and other countries combined (76,351 MT).

MPEDA Chairman P. Jawahar said exports of both L. Vannamei and Black Tiger shrimp recorded growth in volume and value, reflecting sustained global demand for Indian shrimp.

Industry sources noted that India's shrimp exports to the US had come under pressure in recent years due to steep tariff hikes. Exports declined to around 41,000 MT in FY25 from 68,000 MT in FY24 as cumulative US tariffs surged to nearly 58%, including base duties and additional punitive levies.

However, a bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States later eased the burden by reducing reciprocal tariff rates to 18% and removing the additional 25% punitive tariffs linked to Russian oil purchases. Historically, the US has accounted for nearly 38% of India's shrimp exports, making it the industry's most critical overseas market.

The tariff uncertainty also prompted Indian exporters to diversify aggressively into alternative markets such as China, Vietnam and the European Union.

Despite a decline in overall exports to the United States, the country remained India's largest seafood importer by value, purchasing seafood worth ₹20,263.27 crore ($2.33 billion) and accounting for 279,193 MT of imports. Exports to the US fell by 10.82% in rupee terms, 14.22% in dollar terms and 19.51% in volume. Notably, frozen shrimp accounted for a commanding 93.55% share of the US seafood import basket from India in value terms.

China emerged as India's largest seafood destination by volume, importing 4,90,369 MT worth $1.61 billion. The European Union remained the third-largest market by value, importing 2,97,518 MT worth $1.59 billion. Southeast Asia followed with imports of 4,51,756 MT valued at $1.35 billion. Japan imported 1,05,228 MT worth $452.91 million, while the Middle East purchased 76,743 MT valued at $283 million.

Beyond shrimp, frozen fish emerged as the second-largest export category, generating ₹5,658.37 crore ($643.70 million). Dried seafood products ranked third, earning ₹5,079.09 crore ($577.44 million) and recording an impressive 78.05% growth in rupee value.

Frozen squid exports reached 1,02,060 MT, generating ₹4,493.80 crore ($513.84 million). Frozen cuttlefish also posted robust growth, with export volumes rising by 13.32% and dollar earnings increasing by 16.25%. Total cuttlefish exports stood at 67,157 MT, valued at $331.96 million.

Meanwhile, exports of chilled seafood products earned ₹622.31 crore ($71.27 million), while live seafood exports registered an 11.46% increase in dollar value, reaching $62.43 million.

On the logistics front, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), and Kochi emerged as the top three ports handling India's seafood export cargo during the year.