National Workshop on Seafood Exports at Visakhapatnam Organized

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described the Blue Economy as a major driver of future economic growth and highlighted Andhra Pradesh's leading role in fisheries production and seafood exports.

India's fisheries sector is preparing for its next phase of growth, with policymakers, industry leaders and exporters coming together in Visakhapatnam to chart a strategy for boosting seafood exports and strengthening the country's position in global markets. The two-day National Workshop on Seafood Exports, organized by the Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and supported by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, focused on creating a future-ready export ecosystem. The event brought together representatives from central ministries, state governments, export agencies, financial institutions, industry bodies, start-ups and seafood processors.

Senior leaders, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan participated in the discussions.

Focus Shifts from Volume to Value

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described the Blue Economy as a major driver of future economic growth and highlighted Andhra Pradesh's leading role in fisheries production and seafood exports. He stressed the importance of value addition, innovation, sustainability and traceability in building a globally trusted Indian seafood brand.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the need to adopt advanced technologies and strengthen export infrastructure to enhance India's competitiveness. He indicated that facilities such as quarantine centres and related infrastructure could be developed at strategic locations including Visakhapatnam to support exporters and meet international compliance requirements.

Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan called for a shift from exporting raw produce to creating high-value seafood products. He pointed to growing international demand for ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products and urged stakeholders to invest in processing technologies that improve shelf life and product quality.

According to Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, India's fisheries sector has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade. Fish production and exports have more than doubled, reaching nearly 197 lakh tonnes and over ₹73,000 crore respectively. He noted that inland fisheries account for a significant share of production but contribute relatively little to exports, making it an area with substantial untapped potential.

Infrastructure, Sustainability and Market Access Take Centre Stage

The workshop also addressed several challenges facing the seafood export sector. Industry representatives highlighted concerns related to disease management, rising feed costs, access to quality seed, certification requirements and the need for stronger cold-chain and logistics infrastructure. Participants stressed the importance of improving transportation networks, air cargo connectivity and processing facilities in inland regions. Discussions also focused on meeting stringent international standards, strengthening traceability systems and expanding exports of value-added products.

A major announcement during the event was the approval of a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Kakinada under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The project, with an outlay of ₹72.42 crore, will provide berthing facilities for around 423 vessels and is expected to generate employment for more than 12,000 people.

Government agencies and industry bodies presented their plans for export promotion, quality assurance and market expansion. Stakeholders also called for greater focus on sustainability, reducing juvenile fishing and developing high-value segments such as trout and cold-water fisheries. As India aims to achieve ₹1 lakh crore in seafood exports, the workshop marked an important step in aligning policy, infrastructure and industry efforts. Officials believe the discussions will help create a more competitive, resilient and globally recognized seafood export ecosystem capable of meeting future demand while supporting the livelihoods of millions dependent on the fisheries sector.