Fishery Trade

Marine products from Kerala

Kerala’s share to the total export of marine products from India accounted for 18% each in quantity and value. During 2006-07, Kerala exported 108616 tonnes of marine products valued at Rs. 1,524 crores. In value terms frozen shrimp dominated Keralas' export contributing 41.32% of the net exports. Item-wise export of marine products from Kerala during 2005-06 is given below.

Item-wise exports of marine products from Kerala during 2006-07

European Union accounted for the largest market importing over 50% of marine products valued at Rs. 862.07 crores from Kerala. Japan was the second largest market in terms of value followed by USA.

Export of marine products from Kerala to major markets during 2006-07

Quantity-wise market of marine products exported from Kerala during 2005-06 is shown in the figure below. European Union continued to be the largest market for marine products exported from Kerala (51%) followed by South East Asian countries and China.

Marine exports through seaport/airports

Export of marine products from India took place through 15 seaports and 3 airports during the year 2006-07. Two more airports viz. Ahamedabad and Agartala were also used for export of fishery products.  While Pipavav, Gujarat accounted for 29.18% of the volume of fishery exports from India, Kochiport contributed the highest share in export earnings (18%). While Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP), Mumbai was the 2nd largest port to export marine products in terms of quantity (22.39%), Chennai port became second largest port to ex port Indian seafood in terms of value (16%). 

Port-wise export of marine products from Kerala during 2006-07

Import of fish and fishery products

The import of fish and fishery products to India is not substantial compared to exports. This is mainly because of higher tariff/ customs duty imposed by Govt. of India. Although in 2004-05 the customs duty was lowered to 35.2% as against 60% in 1988-89, it is still not comparable with certain other countries such as China, which imposes a tariff/duty of only 10.4%. Under the present rates, it will be impossible for India to import, reprocess and export marine products. Table below shows the import of fishery products by India during 2004-05 and 2005-06.

Fisheries import to India, in Rs. lakhs

Import of fishery products through Kerala

During 2005-06 nearly 38250 tonnes of marine products were imported through Kerala as compared to 20924 tonnes in the previous year. Frozen shrimp and frozen cuttlefish contributed 32.49% and 30.89% respectively to the marine products imported during 2004-05. While during 2005-06 frozen cuttlefish accounted for nearly half of the marine products share in terms of quantity followed by frozen squid (15.93%) and frozen shrimp (15.70%). Other marine products such as frozen crab, frozen prawn and frozen lobster together accounted for more than 15% during 2004-05, however their contribution decreased to 12% in 2005-06.

Item-wise import of marine products to Kerala

Trade policies in fisheries sector

Trade of fishery products has basically been regulated through quantitative restrictions (QRs), canalization, licenses, quotas and high tariffs. After signing WTO, a lot of restrictions have been removed and now a number of fisheries products have been moved to special import license (SIL) category. They are now freely importable. The exim policy announced in 2002 allowed all fishery products except five groups of live whale sharks to be moved to the list of freely importable commodities. At present 162 fish products can be imported under the new rule.

For more about import duties and marine products that can be imported visit e-library…

Last updated: 15-4-2008