Export of marine products to the US was badly hit in the first half of this fiscal due to the imposition of anti-dumping duty by that country, according to the Sea Food Exporters Association of India (SEAI).Exports to the US dropped 23.43% in quantity and 14.32% in value in the first half of this financial year compared with the same period in the last fiscal, said the 'Seafood Export Journal' of SEAI.However, exports to countries barring the US and those in South East Asia saw a rise in the first half year of the current fiscal. The growth was seen in both quantum and rupee value-of 24.69% and 13.91% respectively.During April-September, India exported 22,329 tonnes of seafood to US markets, down by 6831 tonnes of seafood from last year's 29,160 tonnes. In rupee terms, value realisations dropped to Rs 896.17 crore in the same period of 2005-06.According to SEAI President A J Tharakan, the imposition of 10.17% anti-dumping duty and the customs bond were the major reasons for the disappointing performance.The stringent measures taken by the US administration on imports caused 5.86% drop in the exports of frozen shrimp from India in the period under review, the journal said.Meanwhile, the European Union remained the top exports market with 64,660 tonnes, valued at Rs 1236 crore, a growth of 6.14% in quantify and 28.72% in value, it said.
