The fish and seafood processed market in India is expected to reach $ 21.04 billion, says the expert industry | Photo credit: the Hindu
Amid the uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariffs and compensatory tasks in their largest export market, Indian shrimp producers are formulating a strategy of “looking inside” to take advantage of Burgeon’s domestic market.
The domestic market for the shrimp of India has an unleashed potential, backed by the increase in available income, the growing awareness of health and a large population. Although isolated efforts have been made in the past, there has been no structured and focused campaign to fully explore and develop this market.
“We are remodeling our business by aiming 50 percent of the domestic market by introducing shrimp products ready for cooking and eating,” said Shaji Baby John, president and managing director, Kings Infra, one of the big players.
Cold chain configuration
Citing reports, John said that the process processed fish and shellfish in India is expected to reach $ 21.04 billion, of which the organized sector of the domestic market is only 3-5 percent. It is projected that the market will grow to a CAG or 8.55 percent in the next five years.
He emphasized the need to establish cold chain facilities, last mile connectivity and a distribution network to maintain the quality and freshness of seafood. The Union government is extending adequate financial support to strengthen the distribution network in the domestic market. But most of these funds are being exhausted due to lack of awareness.
The DPI Mohan Raju, president of the Pawn Farmers of India, said that a sustainable domestic market requires a dedicated network of the supply chain different from the current fragmented system where the quality, consistency in the supply and the recessing reainent prices reminent.
Viable and scalable route
The Federation has proposed the creation of farmers’ organizations to anchor this change with initiatives to establish a reliable network of the cold chain and the logistics network; Promotion of value and frozen shrimp formats for retail markets, ensuring quality guarantee mechanisms at the agricultural door level. The center must jointly support this through the Ministry of Fisheries, in coordination with state governments, he said, adding that guaranteeing the supply, quality and stability of prices in the internal market would be reduced in volatilence.
The frozen shrimp is the most viable and scalable route to distribute shrimp in the domestic market while maintaining hygiene and quality. However, five percent of GST in frozen and brand seafood products makes more expectation. “We ask the Ministry to recommend the GST counter that frozen shellfish have a zero classification, at least for a defined period, to support the growth of the domestic market,” said Mohan Raju.
Basically, shrimp are not a preferred article in many cities in northern India compared to poultry meat despite its high nutritional value. Punjab is the only exception for Jumbo prawns. More than Indian national markets do not entertain frozen shrimp and prefer only frescoes. However, the limitations of the supply chain are obstacles the availability of varieties of fresh seafood from coastal states to markets in northern India, said a veteran seafood exporter in Kochi.
There is a need for a clean campaign in the domestic market to popularize the protein value of shrimp as of eggs. This would increase consumption, he said.
Waking now
Arpan Bhalerao, Global Aquaconnect Growth Director, said about 40 percent or the production of Indian shrimp are curreously exported to us, which makes it vulnerable to interruptions related to the rate. In the short term, these additional costs must be absorbed throughout the value chain. “However, we believe that this also also presents an opportunity for the domestic market to play a more important role. As per capita income continues to increase in India, there is a well -thought the inactivated and the useless and inactivated lines.
Divya Kumar Gulati, president of Clfma or India, said that the export -oriented shrimp industry has suddenly aroused to say how to develop a local market. “Once a local market develops, which would be another million metric tons or shrimp. If it develops in a moderate way, not in a very high consumption, then we are seeing other millions of tons of shrimp production to consume domestic ones.”
“We are trying to promote domestic shrimp consumption. It must move away from the myth that shrimp have a high cholesterol content, high -price and proteins of the rich and not as cheap as meat. We have begun to make efforts to be the client and involve the client and the Thetomer Catate.
Posted on April 18, 2025