India Reinstated in EU's Revised Draft
List for Continued Aquaculture Exports
India has been reinstated in the European Union's (EU)
revised draft list for the continued export of aquaculture products, thereby
ensuring an uninterrupted supply of seafood to one of its largest global
markets. This move resolves the issue regarding India's earlier exclusion from
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598. Regulatory Compliance: This
reinstatement follows India's strict adherence to Delegated Regulation (EU)
2023/905, which mandates that animal products must be free from antimicrobial
substances used for growth promotion or reserved for human therapeutic use.
India's compliance is bolstered by robust systems such as the 'National Residue
Control Programme' (NRCP) and the 'Post-Harvest Testing Programme,' which
monitor for prohibited antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances.
This development can also be viewed as a recognition of the sustained efforts
undertaken by organizations—such as the Department of Commerce, the Marine
Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), and the Export Inspection
Council (EIC)—to strengthen regulatory compliance and promote responsible
aquaculture practices.
Economic Significance: The European Union (EU) is
India's third-largest seafood market, accounting for 18.94% of the total export
value (US$ 1.593 billion) in the year 2025-26, with farmed shrimp remaining the
primary export commodity. Aquaculture Landscape in India
¨
Global and Economic
Status: India is the world's second-largest fish producer after China,
accounting for approximately 8% of global production. The fisheries sector
contributes about 7.43% to the Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture.
¨ Seafood Exports: In the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, seafood exports reached a record high of ₹62,408 crore. Frozen shrimp remains the primary export commodity, driven by strong demand from the United States and China.
¨ India's fish production has nearly doubled over the past decade, reaching 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Inland production now accounts for approximately 75% of the total fish output.Andhra Pradesh is the largest producing state, followed by West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, respectively.
