Seafood exports from Andhra Pradesh are continuing without disruption despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, State Agriculture and Fisheries Minister P. Atchannaidu said during a review meeting with officials from the Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA).
Atchannaidu urged aquaculture farmers not to worry about the situation in the Gulf region and to continue their activities as usual. He said export shipments of shrimp, fish, and other marine products remain unaffected, adding that the state government is closely monitoring developments to ensure trade flows remain stable.
The minister noted that Andhra Pradesh plays a significant role in India’s seafood export sector. Data from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) shows that India exported around 1.78 million tonnes of seafood valued at ₹60,523 crore during the 2023–24 fiscal year, with Andhra Pradesh contributing about 32 percent of the total export volume.
Visakhapatnam Port, the main export gateway for seafood from the state, handled approximately 3.14 lakh tonnes of marine exports worth about ₹17,984 crore in FY24. These shipments were destined for major markets including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, along with other nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Atchannaidu also stressed the importance of maintaining strict standards in hygiene, traceability and sustainability to keep Andhra Pradesh seafood competitive in international markets. He said cold storage infrastructure and logistics facilities at major ports are helping exporters maintain smooth operations and avoid delays despite external uncertainties.
Seafood exports continue to support thousands of livelihoods across coastal districts such as Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna district. These exports provide employment for fishermen as well as workers involved in processing, packaging and logistics.
According to the APSADA review, the state government remains committed to supporting exporters and has advised farmers and processors to continue aquaculture operations with confidence. The minister reiterated that exports remain stable and that necessary measures are in place to ensure smooth trade during the current fiscal year.