“Enhancing India’s seafood export competitiveness will require stronger International collaboration”: Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister FAHD

1. At a Glance

• Round Table Conference on Seafood Export Promotion chaired by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), MoFAH&D, at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi on 21 Jan 2026, with envoys from 83 partner countries [S1][S2].
• Reflects India's pivot from production-led growth to market diversification + trade diplomacy in marine products [S1][S5].
• UPSC relevance: Blue Economy, Agricultural Exports, PMMSY, MPEDA, Tariff/Non-Tariff Barriers (GS-II & GS-III) [S2][S5].

2. Why in the News

• 21 Jan 2026: First-of-its-kind Round Table with Ambassadors and High Commissioners of 83 nations across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania, LAC — to strengthen bilateral trade & international market linkages for seafood [S1][S2].
• Backdrop: US reciprocal tariffs caused a ~14.5% value decline in shipments to the USA (largest market), forcing market diversification [S5].

3. Background & Evolution

• MPEDA established 1972 under the MPEDA Act, 1972 — statutory body under Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry [S5].
• PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana) launched FY 2020-21, 5-year scheme to FY 2024-25, outlay ₹20,050 crore, implemented by Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D [S3].
• Department of Fisheries carved out as separate Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in 2019.
• Seafood exports rose from ₹46,662 cr (2019-20) → ₹62,408.45 cr in 2024-25 → ₹72,325.82 cr in 2025-26 (all-time high) [S3][S5].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal Ministries: Promotion → MPEDA / Dept. of Commerce; Production & PMMSY → Dept. of Fisheries, MoFAH&D [S3][S5].
• 2024-25: Volume 16,98,170 MT; Value ₹62,408.45 cr / US$ 7.45 bn [S3].
• 2025-26: Volume 19.32 lakh MT; Value ₹72,325.82 cr / US$ 8.28 bn [S5].
• Frozen shrimp: ₹43,334.25 cr (US$ 5,177 mn) — 43.67% of quantity, 69.46% of dollar value [S3].
• Top destinations: USA, China, EU, Japan, South-East Asia [S5].
• PMMSY outlay: ₹20,050 cr; created 730 cold storages/ice plants, 26,348 fish transport facilities, 6,410 fish kiosks [S3].
• Conference participation: envoys from 83 countries [S2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - Seafood is India's largest agri-export segment by value; supports ~28 million in the fisheries value chain (industry estimate) [S3]. - Heavy dependence on single product (shrimp ~70%) and single market (USA ~28%) = concentration risk [S5].

Geopolitical / Strategic - US reciprocal tariffs triggered 19.8% volume drop to USA → push for FTA leverage and EU/China/Latin America diversification [S5]. - Diplomatic outreach via Ambassadors signals economic diplomacy as a tool of trade competitiveness [S1][S2].

Environmental - Shift to sustainable aquaculture, traceability and antibiotic residue compliance demanded by EU, Japan [S5].

Administrative / Trade Barriers - Non-tariff barriers: private testing, third-party clearances, farm-level certification (BAP/ASC) — restrict EU access [S5]. - Infrastructure gaps: cold chain, processing, value-addition vs Chinese competitors [S5].

Scientific / Technological - MPEDA's NaCSA (National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture) promotes Society-based shrimp farming clusters [S3]. - Focus on value-added products (ready-to-eat, breaded shrimp) vs raw exports [S5].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 21 Jan 2026: Round Table Conference with envoys of 83 countries, New Delhi [S1][S2].
• FY 2025-26: Exports cross ₹72,000 cr / US$ 8.28 bn — all-time high [S5].
• EU exports ↑ 37.9% in value, 35.2% in volume; China ↑ 22.7% value [S5].
• 2025: Seafood Exporters Meet chaired by Union Minister to chart global expansion [S5].
• India steps up shrimp sector support amid US tariff pressures [S5].

7. Prelims Hooks

• MPEDA established under MPEDA Act, 1972; under Ministry of Commerce & Industry (NOT MoFAH&D) [S5].
• PMMSY outlay ₹20,050 crore, FY 2020-21 to 2024-25 [S3].
• Frozen shrimp = ~69.46% of seafood export value in 2024-25 [S3].
• USA = largest seafood destination for India [S5].
• EU posted highest growth in 2025-26 (+37.9% value) [S5].
• Round Table Conference held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, 21 Jan 2026 [S1].
• Envoys of 83 countries participated [S2].
• Union FAHD Minister: Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh); MoS: George Kurian; MoS: S.P. Singh Baghel [S1].
• MPEDA Chairman: Shri D.V. Swamy [S3].
• India's FY 2025-26 exports: 19.32 lakh MT / ₹72,325.82 cr / US$ 8.28 bn [S5].
• NaCSA = MPEDA's outfit for sustainable shrimp aquaculture [S3].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Indian Economy: agricultural exports, allied sectors; Blue Economy.
• GS-II — IR: bilateral/multilateral trade diplomacy, FTAs.
• Probable stems: 1. "Diversification of markets and products is the key to insulating India's seafood exports from external shocks." Discuss in light of recent US tariff disruptions. 2. "Evaluate the role of PMMSY and MPEDA in transforming India into a globally competitive seafood exporter." 3. "Economic diplomacy is increasingly the fulcrum of agri-export competitiveness." Examine with reference to the Round Table Conference on Seafood Exports, 2026.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Blue Economy & Sagarmala — coastal infrastructure backbone for fisheries.
• PMMSY — flagship scheme architecture and sub-components.
• MPEDA & APEDA — comparative mandates of export promotion bodies.
• Reciprocal tariffs / WTO SPS-TBT Agreements — non-tariff barrier framework.
• Sustainable aquaculture & Antibiotic Residue Standards — EU/Japan compliance.
• India-EU FTA / India-UK FTA — market-access negotiations.
• National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) — implementing arm.
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019 — siting of aquaculture farms.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• MPEDA is under Ministry of Commerce & Industry, NOT Ministry of Fisheries — common confusion [S5].
• PMMSY ≠ Blue Revolution scheme (its predecessor); PMMSY subsumed earlier CSS on Blue Revolution.
• Largest market is USA by value, but China & EU grew faster in 2025-26 — don't conflate growth rate with size [S5].
• Shrimp dominance: ~44% by volume but ~70% by value — distinguish quantity vs value share [S3].
• The Round Table (Jan 2026) was hosted by Dept. of Fisheries (MoFAH&D), not MEA, despite ambassadors' presence [S1].

11. Sources

• [S1] PIB — "Enhancing India's seafood export competitiveness will require stronger International collaboration" — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2217134 — (tier 1)
• [S2] PIB — Fisheries Round Table conference with Ambassadors and High Commissioners on Seafood Export Promotions, 21 Jan 2026 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216344 — (tier 1)
• [S3] PIB — India's seafood exports US$ 7.45 billion in FY 2024-25: MPEDA Chairman D.V. Swamy — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2160131 — (tier 1)
• [S4] PIB — India Steps Up Shrimp Sector Support; Seafood Exports to US Remain Robust — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2202977 — (tier 1)
• [S5] PIB — India's Seafood Exports Hit All-Time High of ₹72,000 Crore / From Growth to Global Competitiveness — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2254282 ; https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2248721 — (tier 1)