With 8,129 kms of sea-coast, the Indian seafood industry
is the 3rd largest seafood market in the world.
STATISTICS
ON THE INDIAN SEAFOOD MARKET:
oThe overall export of marine products reached a record
figure of $1.6bn during 2005-2006
oExports have shown an increase of 11% in quantity
and value
oFrozen shrimp continues to be the largest item exported
in terms of value at 59%
oFresh fish is the largest export item in terms of
quantity with 36% of total export volume.
oIndia with a fishery production of nearly 6m tonnes
a year, is now the 3rd largest fish producing country
in the world. However it is ranked 16th in terms of
seafood exports with a 4% share in global marine trade
oWith marine exports reaching €2bn in 2007, forecasts
are for €4bn export earning by 2010, especially with
untapped aquaculture and tuna reserves
oAquaculture is growing globally, India is ranked
2nd in aquaculture production but currently only 6%
of the coastline is utilized for this purpose. The
potential for future growth is significant
oIndia has the largest number of EU approved processing
plants in the world with a 3m tonne annual capacity,
however only 20% is being currently utilised. It is
estimated that by 2010, €25m would be invested in
this sector by the local market alone
oTuna fish farming is growing in importance. India
has the resource potential of 213,000 tonnes but currently
lands less than 10% a year. The first EU approved
tuna factory is due to open in 6 months
oThe MPEDA and Indian Government are currently focussed
on enhancing production and boosting exports to make
India the top global seafood exporter.
Major Markets of Indian Marine Products (2005-06):
| Country |
Qty
(MTs) |
Value
in US $ million |
| EU |
136842 |
27% |
484.0 |
29.44% |
| USA |
55817 |
11% |
372.6 |
22.66% |
| Japan |
59785 |
12% |
262.8 |
15.98% |
| China |
137076 |
37% |
192.0 |
11.68% |
| SE
Asia |
60140 |
12% |
132.7 |
8.07% |
| M.
East |
22270 |
4% |
69.6 |
4.24% |
| Others |
40234 |
8% |
130.4 |
7.93% |
| TOTAL |
512164 |
100.0% |
1644.2 |
100.0% |
Product
wise export 2005-06:
AQUACULTURE
Aqaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector
in the world.
The aquaculture industry has been identified as a
sunrise area, the potential is impressive. India has
yet emerged as the 2nd largest world producer of farmed
fish (aquaculture) according to FAO but its total
production is one twentieth of China which is the
number one exporter.
India still promotes Black Tiger rather than Vannamei
unlike other countries. Black Tiger is a high value
product unlike Vannamei. Apart from Black Tigers India
has cultivated 30,000 tones of fresh water scampi
which is said to increase.
There is an immense potential for shrimp farming.
India is also one of the countries where eco-friendly
cultivation is going on. We have small farms with
low stocking densities, low use of chemicals and sustainable
practices.
SUSTAINABILITY
The rising demand for seafood and other marine produce
will lead to a collapse of today's commercial fish
stock by the year 2050 unless better management of
sustainable developments are in place.
For today's India, environment and sustainability
is not a trend but a standard business issue.
Pijikay is a huge proponent of sustainability. The
following are a few of the important bodies that promote
sustainable fisheries and aquaculture:
1. NaCSA - National Centre for Sustainable Acquaculture
working under MPEDA
2. NACA - Network for Aquaculture Centres in Asia
- Pacific under FAO
3. MPEDA along with SIPPO (Swiss Import Promotion
Programme) for the promotion of organic aquaculture.
Catch
a man a fish, and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish, and you ruin a wonderful business
opportunity.
Karl Marx
