Shrimp exporters adhere to strict regulations for safety and aim for Rs 1 lakh crore in exports, according to officials.
shrimp exporters Indian are placing a significant emphasis on ensuring the quality and safety of their products, with the goal of enhancing exports to reach a value of Rs one lakh crore. They are committed to meeting stringent regulations and undergoing thorough audits to uphold top-notch standards when supplying marine products to advanced markets.
New Delhi, Indian shrimp exporters follow a robust regulatory and safety regime, as it helps them to ship quality marine products to developed regions like the US and Europe, a senior government official said on Wednesday. India is aiming to increase seafood exports to Rs one lakh crore in the next two years by increasing its processing capacity and shifting to higher value-added products, the official added.
According to a senior government official, Indian shrimp exporters in New Delhi adhere to a stringent regulatory framework and prioritize safety measures. This commitment enables them to deliver high-quality marine products to markets such as the US and Europe. The official emphasized India’s ambition to bolster seafood exports to Rs one lakh crore within the next two years. This goal entails enhancing processing capabilities and transitioning towards producing higher value-added products.
Challenging claims: shrimp exporters
Challenging claims regarding substandard working conditions and safety protocols, a representative emphasized that India’s 548 seafood units undergo routine inspections and oversight by multiple government bodies.
The official highlighted that these units adhere to top-tier quality and standards, with a significant portion of their exports destined for developed countries.
The official refuted claims suggesting food safety concerns and poor labor conditions within the Indian shrimp industry as unfounded and inaccurate.
According to the official, all facilities are duly registered with regulatory bodies such as MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority) and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), and are also approved by the EIC (Export Inspection Council) in compliance with legal requirements
Regulatory agencies in India conduct regular monitoring of production and processing systems, with inspections carried out by entities such as the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration), European Commission, GAC of China, Export Inspection Agency, MPEDA, and numerous private and certification auditors.
The pre-processing and processing units adhere to a food safety management system based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, in accordance with the regulations outlined in the US Code of Federal Regulations.
In efforts to ensure product safety, the aquaculture industry has prohibited the use of pharmacologically active substances since 2002.
National regulations and monitoring mechanisms such as the National Residue Control Plan, ELISA screening laboratories, internal testing facilities, and pre-export inspections play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the food supply chain. These measures are put in place to mitigate food safety hazards, including the presence of antibiotic residues, thereby ensuring consumer health is not compromised.
In 2022-23, India set new records in seafood exports, shipping a total of 1,735,286 tonnes valued at Rs 63,969.14 crore (USD 8.09 billion).
Frozen shrimp continued to dominate Indian seafood exports both in terms of quantity and value, with the United States and China emerging as key importers. In the fiscal year 2022-23, frozen shrimp contributed Rs 43,135.58 crore (USD 5,481.63 million), maintaining its status as the top export item. Representing 40.98% of the total quantity and 67.72% of the total earnings in dollar value, frozen shrimp remained a cornerstone of India’s seafood exports.
In the 2022-23 period, the total export volume of frozen shrimps reached 711,099 tonnes. Notably, the United States accounted for the largest share, importing 275,662 tonnes, with China following closely at 145,743 tonnes.
However, from April to February of this fiscal year, exports of marine products experienced a decline of 7.5 percent compared to the previous year, amounting to USD 6.8 billion.
Among the export destinations, the United States emerged as the primary market, importing USD 2.4 billion worth of shrimp out of the total export value of USD 5.6 billion from Indian shores.
Indian shrimp holds a significant share of 40% in the US market. A substantial portion of Indian shrimp destined for the US undergoes processing in various Latin American countries. India aims to localize this processing to retain the higher value of exports.
India boasts approximately 100,000 shrimp farms, with the majority located in Andhra Pradesh.
