Frozen fish reigns supreme as the most prominent category in India’s thriving fish export market. Let’s delve into the essential insights regarding India’s top 10 fish species, underpinned by comprehensive shipping data.
Fish is systematically categorized according to Harmonized System Codes, primarily falling into four distinct categories:
- 0301 (Live Fish)
- 0302 (Fish, Fresh or Chilled)
- 0303 (Frozen Fish)
- 0304 (Fish Fillets and Other Fish Meat)
These categories provide a structured framework for understanding and tracking India’s robust fish export industry. Let’s check the top ten fish species that are exported from the nation.
- Ribbonfish
Ribbonfish, belonging to the family Trachipteridae, are characterized by their sleek, ribbon-like appearance. India, a prominent exporter of ribbonfish, saw its exports soar to a substantial sum of US$ 93.8 million. This amounted to a significant 27.3% contribution to the overall exports of fish species. Notably, China emerged as the foremost importer of Indian ribbonfish, with a substantial value of US$ 69.1 million, commanding a 20% share in terms of value.
These ribbonfish thrive abundantly along the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. It is worth mentioning that large-headed ribbonfish, a specific variety, enjoys considerable popularity on the global stage.
- Croaker
Croaker fish, a noteworthy export from India, secured the position of the second-largest exporter of fish species, contributing an impressive 14.2% to the total fish exports. India’s exports of croaker fish amounted to US$ 48.8 million, with a substantial portion, totaling US$ 44 million, finding its way to China. Other nations such as South Korea, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Vietnam also joined the list of importers of Indian croaker fish.
- Pomfret
Pomfret fishes, members of the perciform family Bramidae, witnessed India’s exports reach a commendable US$ 47.3 million. China, by importing a substantial portion, played a pivotal role, contributing about 8% to the total value of fish shipments. Additionally, major importers of India’s Pomfret fishes included Hong Kong, Australia, Bangladesh, Singapore, and Taiwan.
- Jack
Jackfish, belonging to the Carangidae family, can be found in temperate and tropical regions of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. India’s jackfish exports amounted to US$ 34.5 million. Leading the importers’ list, China showcased a market share of 7%. Other significant markets for Indian jackfish encompass Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
- Sole
Sole fishes, renowned in India, contributed approximately 3% to the total value of fish exports. The country’s export data indicates sole fish shipments worth US$ 10.6 million. Remarkably, China ranked as the primary importer, followed by South Korea, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
- Surimi Fish
India made notable strides in surimi fish exports, with figures reaching US$ 7.2 million. Of this, US$ 0.5 million worth of surimi fish found its way to South Korea. Other prominent importers of Indian surimi fishes included China, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, and Taiwan.
- Grouper
Characterized by their large mouths and robust bodies, groupers were a part of India’s fish exports, amounting to US$ 5 million. The top importer countries for Indian grouper fishes included China (US$ 1.6 million), Hong Kong (US$ 0.9 million), Vietnam (US$ 0.3 million), and Taiwan (US$ 0.1 million).
- Catla Fish
Catla fish, a significant freshwater species in South Asia, commanded exports worth US$ 4.8 million. The primary recipients of Indian catla fish were Bangladesh (US$ 4.7 million), Bhutan (US$ 26,344), and Singapore (US$ 14,030).
- Seer Fish
Seer fish, also known as the Indo-Pacific King Mackerel, found favor in the Indian subcontinent, including countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. India’s seer fish exports reached US$ 4.3 million, with China (US$ 2.2 million) and Taiwan (US$ 1.5 million) leading the list of importers.
- Cod Fish
Codfish emerged as another noteworthy Indian export, with total shipments valued at US$ 4.1 million. Major importers included China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan.
India’s stature as one of the world’s leading fish-producing nations, accounting for approximately 8% of global production, underscores its prominence in the industry. Coastal states such as Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Odisha, and Gujarat play a pivotal role in the nation’s thriving fishing sector, offering a diverse range of sought-after fish species.