The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) which is exporting sea produce to about 100 countries is scouting for new avenues to expand the operations.
The MPEDA, which operates under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is marketing shrimp, fish and other products in USA, European Union, China, South East Asia, Japan and other countries.
To expand the trade, the officials are planning to focus on exporting frozen shrimp and fish, cuttle fish, frozen squid, live and dried items and chilled sea food to Middle East, said MPEDA Chairman Leena Nair, who was here to participate in the ongoing marine expo Aqua Aquaria India – 2015.
“Sea food exports are increasing by about 20 per cent every year. During 2014-15, we are expecting good hike in exports and the value of the produce may touch 6 US $. Andhra Pradesh is playing a key role in shrimp production and exports,” she said. Of the total 8.7 lakh tonnes shipped so far, about 6,000 tonnes of marine produce is exported to Middle East this fiscal. To increase the export revenue further MPEDA is finding new avenues according to Ms. Nair.
As there were chances for cultivating aqua ponds in Northern States in India, pilot projects were taken up in Haryana and other States. MPEDA, in association with other departments, is also searching for fish zones in sea and sea branches, said Director (Marketing) N. Ramesh.
Price information
With rumours on paying lesser price to aqua farmers, MPEDA is planning to disseminate information to the farmers on price of various products in the international market through Short Message Service (SMS).
“We will launch the information sharing system with farmers from April this year. Farmers across the country will get updated on prices of different products every day,” Mr. Ramesh added.
