The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, organised the Seafood Exporters Meet 2025 at Ambedkar Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was attended by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh), who also holds the portfolio of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, along with Ministers of State Professor S. P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian.
Senior officials from the Department of Commerce, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Export Inspection Council (EIC), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), as well as representatives from the seafood industry, progressive farmers, and fisheries departments of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Gujarat participated in the meet.
In his address, Singh stressed the need for value addition in Indian seafood to enhance its export competitiveness. He highlighted several ongoing government measures, including the creation of a single-window system for better market linkages, strengthening of High Seas and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) fishing, and upgrading infrastructure to support the fisheries sector. Singh emphasised that MPEDA’s key role is in addressing tariff-related challenges and called for detailed state-wise mapping of species-specific exports to identify new global opportunities. He assured the industry of the government’s continued commitment to expanding seafood exports.
Minister of State S P Singh Baghel pointed out India’s vast fisheries resources and urged stakeholders to tap into them effectively. He underlined the importance of exploring new international markets to reduce dependence on existing ones and encouraged closer coordination with state governments to strengthen the seafood value chain.
Minister of State George Kurian reiterated the government’s “Vocal for Local” vision, noting that a stronger domestic seafood market would open new income opportunities for fishers and farmers, especially in the face of global trade challenges.
The meet served as a platform for government, industry, and farmers to exchange ideas, address sectoral issues, and chart a path for boosting India’s position in the global seafood market.