Seafood sector breathes again, thanks to landmark deals with the U.S., EU, says SEAI

The Seafood Exporters’ Association of India (SEAI) has welcomed the “double-win” for the nation’s blue economy, following the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union and de-escalation of trade tensions with the United States.

With the U.S. market getting stabilised and the EU market opening up, industry experts predict that India is on track to surpass its 2024-25 seafood export valuation of $7.3 billion.

The twin developments are expected to save thousands of jobs across India’s coastal belt, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, which serves as the country’s primary aquaculture hub, says SEAI president G. Pawan Kumar.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Mr. Kumar said that after a gruelling six-month period, when Indian seafood was hit with punitive tariffs as high as 50%, a new trade understanding slashed that rate to 18%.

The “tariff shock” that began in August 2025 had a devastating impact. Between April and November 2025, export quantities to the U.S. — India’s largest export market ($2.78 billion in 2024-25) — plummeted by nearly 15%, he added.

“The restoration of tariff to 18% restores our competitiveness. It allows Indian exporters to once again go head-to-head with global rivals, who have begun to seize our market share during the period of punitive duties,” Mr. Kumar stated.

While the U.S. deal focusses on recovery, the FTA with the European Union is being hailed as a major growth engine. “Under the new agreement, import duties on Indian seafood, which previously ranged from 4.2% to 7.5%, have been eliminated entirely,” he added.

The impact of closer ties with Europe is already visible. The EU recently listed 102 new Indian fishery units authorised for export. This regulatory green light helped drive a staggering 37.8% increase in export value to the EU during the latter half of 2025, even before the zero-tariff regime was fully enacted, he said.

While explaining, he said, in 2024-25, India had exported seafood valued at approximately $1.1 billion to the EU. During April-November 2025, seafood exports to the EU increased by 28% in terms of quantity and by 37.8% in value terms, compared to the corresponding period the previous year.

“As Andhra Pradesh produces the lion’s share of India’s farmed shrimp, the State government has been under intense pressure from farmers and processors to resolve the U.S. trade deadlock. Now, we breathed a relief,” Mr. Kumar said.

“The foundation is now laid for sustained growth,” said Mr. Kumar. “India has re-established itself as a reliable, competitive, and high-quality global supplier,” Mr. Kumar said.

SEAI Andhra Pradesh regional president K. Anand Kumar and secretary D.S.K. Dileep were present.