Fish Production in India

 

Fish Production in India – Major Fish Producing Regions and Export Potential

India is one of the world's major fish-producing countries and has a large and diverse fisheries sector. Fish production in India comes from both inland fisheries and marine fisheries, while aquaculture has become an increasingly important part of the country's overall fish supply.

For international buyers, India's large production base offers opportunities to source different varieties of fish and seafood in fresh, chilled and frozen forms, depending on product availability, buyer requirements and applicable export regulations.

India’s Fish Production

India is the second-largest fish-producing country in the world and is also a major producer through aquaculture. According to the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, total fish production was estimated at about 17.54 million metric tonnes in FY 2022–23, including approximately 13.11 million metric tonnes from inland fisheries and 4.43 million metric tonnes from marine fisheries. Inland production therefore represented about three-quarters of India's total fish production.

The Indian fisheries sector includes traditional marine fishing, inland fishing, freshwater aquaculture, brackish-water aquaculture and other forms of fish farming.

This diversity gives India a broad base for supplying different types of fish to domestic and international markets.

Marine Fish Production in India

India has a long coastline and a large marine fishing sector. Marine fish are harvested from India's coastal and offshore waters and include many commercially important species.

Depending on the species and market, marine fish may be supplied as:

  • Whole fish

  • Whole frozen fish

  • Chilled fish

  • Cut fish

  • Fillets

  • Other processed forms

The availability of different species varies by fishing region, season, landing centre and market demand.

For international trade, proper handling, cold-chain infrastructure, processing and packaging are important factors in maintaining product quality.

Inland Fish Production in India

Inland fisheries and aquaculture make up a major part of India's fish production.

Freshwater fish farming is carried out in ponds, reservoirs and other inland water systems across many parts of India. Aquaculture allows producers to manage fish production more systematically and can provide a more predictable supply for certain species.

India's inland fisheries sector therefore plays an important role not only in domestic food supply but also in developing fish products suitable for wider markets.

Major Fish-Producing Areas of India

Fish production is spread across many Indian states and coastal regions.

Important fish-producing areas include states such as:

  • Andhra Pradesh

  • West Bengal

  • Gujarat

  • Kerala

  • Tamil Nadu

  • Odisha

  • Maharashtra

  • Karnataka

  • Telangana

  • Bihar

  • Uttar Pradesh

The importance of each state differs according to marine fishing, freshwater aquaculture, brackish-water aquaculture and the species produced.

This geographic diversity is useful for buyers because sourcing does not depend on a single production region.

Fish and Seafood Export Industry of India

India has developed a significant international seafood export industry.

According to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), India exported 1,698,170 metric tonnes of seafood during FY 2024–25, with a total export value of ₹62,408.45 crore, equivalent to approximately US$7.45 billion.

India exported marine products to 130 countries during FY 2024–25. Frozen shrimp was the largest export item by both quantity and value, while frozen fish was another major category. Frozen squid and frozen cuttlefish were also important export products.

This demonstrates that India's fisheries sector already has substantial experience supplying international markets.

What Types of Fish and Seafood Does India Export?

India exports a wide range of marine and aquatic products.

Depending on market demand and availability, Indian exports can include:

  • Frozen fish

  • Chilled fish

  • Frozen shrimp

  • Frozen squid

  • Frozen cuttlefish

  • Crab

  • Scampi

  • Lobster

  • Tuna and other marine fish

  • Other processed and value-added seafood products

The exact product, size, grade, processing form and packaging can vary according to the requirements of the destination market.

India and the Thailand Seafood Market

Thailand is an important seafood market in Asia and has its own large fisheries and seafood-processing industries. However, Thailand also imports marine products from international suppliers.

MPEDA reported that Thailand imported marine products worth approximately US$4.295 billion in 2022. India's marine-product exports to Thailand were approximately US$367 million, representing about 8.5% of that import value. Major products imported by Thailand included frozen skipjack, frozen cuttlefish and squid, prepared and preserved tuna, frozen shrimp and other marine products.

This existing trade provides an indication that there is an established India–Thailand seafood trade relationship.

Opportunities for Thai Buyers

For Thai importers, distributors, wholesalers, food businesses and other commercial buyers, Indian fish and seafood may provide an additional sourcing option.

Potential opportunities can depend on:

  • Product species

  • Product size and grade

  • Frozen or chilled requirement

  • Processing specification

  • Packaging

  • Required quantity

  • Delivery location

  • Import requirements

  • Price and payment terms

  • Applicable food-safety and customs requirements

Every buyer requirement is different, so product availability and commercial terms should be confirmed before an order is placed.

Looking Beyond Thailand

Our initial focus is Thailand, but the opportunity is not limited to one Asian market.

India already supplies seafood to markets across Asia and other parts of the world. MPEDA's export data shows that Indian marine products are sold internationally to a wide range of countries.

Therefore, Asha Indo-Thai Export is also interested in developing suitable business enquiries from other Asian markets where Indian fish and seafood products may have commercial potential.

Asha Indo-Thai Export

Asha Indo-Thai Export is developing business opportunities connecting Indian fish and seafood products with buyers in Thailand and other Asian markets.

Our initial focus is to understand buyer requirements and identify suitable Indian products, suppliers, specifications and supply arrangements.

We welcome enquiries from:

  • Seafood importers

  • Fish distributors

  • Wholesalers

  • Food businesses

  • Restaurants and food-service businesses

  • Trading companies

  • Other commercial buyers

If you are looking for fish or seafood products from India, please contact us with your required product, approximate quantity, preferred packaging and destination.

Email: nick1946sheenbg@gmail.com 
WhatsApp: +91 730 410 6326

Asha Indo-Thai Export
India → Thailand & Asian Markets

Product availability, specifications, pricing, export documentation and delivery arrangements are subject to confirmation for each enquiry.

  



















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