India exported a record 19,72,018 metric tonnes (MT) of seafood valued at ₹73,890.46 crore ($8.46 billion) in fiscal year 2025-26. The figures mark an all-time high in terms of volume and value despite global challenges, P. Jawahar, chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), said here on Monday.

The United States and China remained the primary importers of Indian seafood, according to the statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Addressing the media, Mr. Jawahar said frozen shrimp remained the leading product in seafood exports, generating ₹49,037.93 crore ($5,624.48 million). It accounted for 40.19% of the total quantity and 66.52% of total U.S. dollar earnings from seafood exports. During this period, shrimp exports increased by 13.16% in rupee value and 8.64% in dollar value, he said.

During 2025-26, total frozen shrimp exports stood at 7,92,647 MT.

The U.S., the largest market, imported 2,56,128 MT of frozen shrimp. This was followed by China with 1,69,505 MT, the European Union with 1,35,599 MT, Southeast Asia with 83,810 MT, Japan with 40,776 MT, the Middle East with 30,478 MT, and all other countries combined with 76,351 MT. Exports of L. vannamei (white-leg shrimp) and Black Tiger shrimp showed an increase in both volume and value.

Frozen fish, the second-largest exported item, generated ₹5,658.37 crore ($643.70 million). Dried items, the third-largest exported group, earned ₹5,079.09 crore ($577.44 million) and showed a positive export trend of 78.05% in rupee value terms.

The export of frozen squid reached 1,02,060 MT, earning ₹4,493.80 crore ($513.84 million). Meanwhile, frozen cuttlefish experienced growth in both volume and value, by 13.32% in quantity and 16.25% in U.S. dollar value, with exports totalling 67,157 MT worth $331.96 million.

The export of chilled items earned ₹622.31 crore ($71.27 million). Exports of live items showed growth of 11.46% in U.S. dollar value terms ($62.43 million).

In terms of overseas markets, the U.S. remained the leading importer of Indian seafood, with imports valued at ₹20,263.27 crore ($2,328.74 million) and a total volume of 279,193 MT. Exports to the U.S. decreased by 10.82% in rupee value, 14.22% in dollar value, and 19.51% in volume. Within the U.S. seafood import basket from India, frozen shrimp had the lion’s share of 93.55% in dollar value.

China emerged as the largest destination for Indian seafood exports in terms of quantity, importing 4,90,369 MT worth $1,611.32 million. The European Union continued to be the third-largest destination in dollar terms, importing 2,97,518 MT worth $1,592.09 million. This was followed by Southeast Asia, which imported 4,51,756 MT worth $1,348.97 million. Japan continued to be the fifth-largest importer in value terms, importing 1,05,228 MT worth $452.91 million. The Middle East was the sixth-largest destination in value terms, importing 76,743 MT worth $283 million.

Vizag, JNPT and Kochi were the top three ports handling seafood cargo.