Indo-EU FTA to offer level playing field for seafood exports with competing countries

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/

Deal will bring the duty applicable on seafood exported from India from prevailing rates of 4.2 to 7.5 per cent to “nil”

By V Sajeev Kumar Updated - January 27, 2026 at 08:39 PM.  | Kochi

The FTA will turbo-charge exports of shrimp, frozen fish and value added seafood exports, empowering coastal communities in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, industry sources say | Photo Credit: SURESHKUMAR C

         Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) has described the signing of FTA with European Union as a reprieve for the sector which has been affected by the high tariffs imposed by the US. The agreement, it said, will bring the duty applicable on seafood exported from India from their prevailing rates of 4.2 to 7.5 per cent to “nil”, offering a level playing field with competitors from other countries/regions.

         In 2024-25, India exported seafood valued at $1.1 billion to the EU. The listing of 102 new fishery units by the European Union has led to a substantial increase in exports to this important market during the current financial year. The exports to EU have increased from 1,37,139 tonne in April to November 2024 to 1,76,367 tonne in the corresponding period of the current year, an increase of 28 per cent in quantity terms.

In value terms, exports to this region showed an increase of 37.8 per cent by increasing from $716.95 million in April-November 2024 to $988.22 million in April-November 2025.