Seafood exports in Apr-Dec at all-time high of $3.66 bn

Kochi : Seafood exports in the first three quarters of the current fiscal have reached an all-time high of $3.66 billion dollar, mostly due to higher exports of frozen shrimp, officials at the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) said.

Exports during the nine- month period aggregated 6,92,299 tonne, valued at R21,828.89 crore compared to 7,21,182 tonne valued at R14,811.29 crores during the same period of 2012-13. The volume of exports has decreased by 4% while the realisation has increased 47 % in rupee terms and 33 % in dollar terms. Total seafood exports during FY13 aggregated 9,28,215 tonne valued at R18,856.26 crore, or $3511.67 million.

MPEDA sources said that frozen shrimp continued to be the principal item, both in volume and dollar terms, with a share of 33.08% and 65.41%, respectively. The overall exports of shrimp in

April-December 2013-14 were to the tune of 2,29,010 tonne , worth $2,396.30 million. Exports of shrimp recorded growth of 27.55 % in volume and 70.53 % in dollar terms compared to the same period of 2012-13. Unit value realisation also increased 33.69%.The contribution of cultured shrimp to total shrimp exports is 77.68%.

Southeast Asia continues to be the largest buyer, with 38% in terms of volume. The US became the largest buyer with 27.25 % in terms of the value realised in dollars, followed by Southeast Asia at 26.01%.

Source : dailyshippingtimes.com