The inaugural shipment marks a significant milestone for India’s seafood industry, opening new export opportunities through duty-free access and faster trade facilitation under the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
India’s seafood export sector achieved a major milestone with the dispatch of its first chilled fish consignment to Oman under the newly implemented India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The shipment was flagged off at the Chennai Air Cargo Complex, marking the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral trade between the two countries.
The consignment was exported by Aqua World Exports Pvt. Ltd. and ceremonially flagged off in the presence of officials from Customs, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), the Export Inspection Agency (EIA), the Airports Authority of India, and other stakeholders involved in facilitating seafood exports.
The shipment coincides with the implementation of the India–Oman CEPA, which came into force on 1 June 2026. The agreement provides a significant advantage to Indian seafood exporters by eliminating import duties on key marine products such as fish, shrimp, and cuttlefish, improving the competitiveness of Indian products in the Omani market.
In addition to tariff benefits, the agreement introduces a dedicated sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) framework designed to streamline regulatory approvals and accelerate customs clearance for perishable products. This is expected to be particularly beneficial for chilled seafood exports, where shorter transit and clearance times play a crucial role in maintaining product quality and freshness.
Industry stakeholders view Oman as a strategic gateway to the broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and East African markets. The agreement is expected to strengthen Oman’s role as a regional distribution hub while providing Indian exporters with expanded access to premium seafood markets.
Tamil Nadu is expected to be one of the primary beneficiaries of the trade pact. With its extensive coastline, modern fishing harbours, established seafood processing facilities, and efficient logistics network, the state is well positioned to capitalize on growing demand from Gulf markets. During 2024–25, Tamil Nadu exported approximately 2,279 tonnes of seafood to Oman valued at around ₹25 crore, highlighting the strength of existing trade relations between the two regions.
The duty-free market access provided under CEPA is anticipated to encourage exporters to expand processing capacities, invest in advanced cold-chain infrastructure, and develop value-added seafood products tailored to consumer preferences in Oman and neighbouring markets. These developments are expected to generate additional employment opportunities across the fisheries, processing, logistics, and export sectors.
The successful dispatch of the first chilled fish consignment underscores the potential of the India–Oman CEPA to boost high-value seafood exports, strengthen economic ties between the two countries, and create new growth opportunities for India’s marine products industry.