Marine exports shoot up 13% despite slump

KOCHI: Despite the recessionary conditions in leading global markets, export of marine products from the country has touched a record level of Rs 8,607.94 crore in 2008-09, registering a 12.9% increase over the previous year.

In quantity terms, the exports increased by 11.3% and stood at 602,835 tonne. In dollar terms, the exports stood at $1,908.63 million, an increase of 0.5% over 2007-08.

Frozen shrimp continued to be the major export item accounting for nearly 44% of the total export earnings, declining sharply from the level of 60% of the export earnings achieved in the previous years.

The area under aquaculture and production from aquaculture sector has witnessed a major fall. Compared to the previous year the decrease is about 28.4% in production and 10.9% in area, Leena Nair, chairperson, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) said.

Fish, the principal export item in terms of quantity and the second item in terms of value, accounted for a share of 40% in value and 20% in export earnings.

The other important items to register a positive growth are frozen squid, cuttle fish, dried items, chilled items and live items. The European Union continued to be the largest market for seafood exports from the county accounting for 25% of the quantity and 32.5% of rupee value.

Interestingly, China emerged as the second largest importer of Indian seafood in the last one year. Japan, which was in the second slot, fell to the third position, while US slipped to the fourth place.