The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Seafood export reaches an all-time record

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 17, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Seafood export reaches an all-time record

Special Correspondent

— Photo: K. K. Mustafah

MONEY-SPINNER: A worker grading shrimps at a market near Kochi.

KOCHI: Indian Seafood Export during 2007-08 reached an all time record to $1,899.09 million. Seafood export was 541701 tonne valued at Rs.7620.92 crore. Compared to 2006-07 the exports recorded a growth of 2.49% in dollar terms but a fall of 11.58% in terms of quantity and 8.88% in rupee value terms. This was the fourth year in succession that the country achieved record export earnings in dollar terms. The fall in exports in terms of quantity when compared to the last year was to the tune of 70,941 tonne valued Rs.742.61 crore.

Frozen shrimp continued to be the major item of exports valued at $980.62 million (52%) followed by frozen fish valued at $326.29 million (17%), frozen cuttle fish valued at $185.66 million (9.76%), Frozen Squid valued at $101.29 million (5.36%) and other items.

European Union again emerged as the major market for the Indian marine products accounting for 149381 tonne (27.58%) in terms of quantity and $ 663.17 million (34.96%) in dollar terms. Japan continued as the second largest market accounting for 67373 tonne (12.44%) and $ 305.49 million (16.09%). The U.S., the third largest market, accounted for 36,612 tonne (6.76%) in quantity and $ 253.05 million (13.33%) in dollar value terms. China, the fourth largest market in dollar terms accounts for $252.90 million (13.32%) but it is the second largest market in quantity terms absorbing 13,9792 tonne (25.81%).

During 2007-08, the Kochi port handled largest marine cargo to the tune of 98,520 tonne (18.19%) valued $344.45 million (18%). The Chennai port accounted for 42,947 tonne (7.93%) valued $287.87 million (15%). Other ports through which the marine exports were carried out were JNP(15%), Pipavav(14%), Vizag (13%), Kolkata and Tuticorin (9%) and Mangalore (2%) in dollar terms.

Overall production from export-oriented aquaculture during 2007-08 was estimated at 1,33,422 tonne. There was a decrease of 41,040 tonne by quantity and Rs 941.00 crore in value compared to the previous year production of 1,74,462 tonne valued at Rs.3,777 crore. Shrimp production showed a decrease of 26.5% and scampi production by 9.5% when compared to the previous year.

The fall in shrimp production was due to disease prevalence during the second crop, natural calamities such as heavy monsoon followed by floods in some of the States; fall in prices for farmed shrimp in the international market and so on.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala