Shrimps to cuttlefish: Andhra Pradesh seafood exports increase by over 12%

Marine product exports from Andhra Pradesh have increased by over 12 percent in 2021-22.

In terms of value, the exports have increased by 20 percent.

Andhra Pradesh contributes over 23 percent to the total seafood exports.

Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) exported sea foods worth 2,720 million US dollars (Rs 20,035.49 crore) in 2021-22.

MPEDA authorities said that Covid-19 affected the exports of marine products in 2019-2020 and 2020-21. But in 2021-22, the exports picked up. Andhra Pradesh contributed 3,24,904 MT in 2021-22.

Andhra Pradesh had exported 2,79,992 MT of marine products worth Rs 15,831.74 crore during 2020-21, registering a contraction of over 4.5 percent in volume, Andhra Pradesh exported 2,93,314 MT of marine products worth Rs 15,498.64 crore in 2019-2020.

While the country exported 13,69,264 MT of marine products worth Rs 57,586.48 crore (7,759.58 million US dollars), Andhra Pradesh's share was over Rs 20,035 crore, which comes to 34 percent.

USA, China, European Union (EU), South East Asia, and the Middle East were the leading importers.

Frozen shrimp topped the list of export items. Apart from shrimp, the MPEDA is exporting frozen fish, frozen cuttlefish, frozen squid, dried items, chilled other varieties, and a few others from Andhra Pradesh. A few shrimp varieties have a good demand in the international market and AP has been occupying the top place in seafood exports in the country followed by Kerala

Andhra Pradesh has been growing in terms of hatcheries and aqua farms for the past few years. The proactive approach by the AP government was also contributing to the sector's growth and the state has been active in checking the antibiotic menace.

The MPEDA has set a target of Rs one lakh crore turnover by 2025 and the MPEDA is taking a new approach by creating an ecosystem in the long-term through diverse marine products.

KEY POINTS

India exported frozen shrimp worth Rs 42,706 crore in 2021-22

AP exported 3,14,728 MT frozen shrimp worth Rs19,698 crore in 2021-22

AP exported 2,395 MT frozen fish worth Rs31 crore in 2021-22

Vizag port is the largest exporter of marine products in Andhra Pradesh

AP has over 380 hatcheries