US policies turn Indian exporters to EU

EU becomes largest importer of Indian marine products

The European Union has emerged as the largest importer for Indian marine products in 2004-05 relegating the US to the second position. The US enjoyed the number one status in imports of marine products from the country in the last few years.

The share of EU increased to 27.37 per cent out of the total export value from the country in 2004-05 as against 24.15 per cent in the preceding year, K Hari Babu, former vice-chairman, Marina Products Export Development Authority (Mpeda), told Business Standard.

"In addition to imposing the anti-dumping duty, the US government also insisted on customs bond for cargo clearance in the US. These conditions forced many Indian exporters to shift their focus to EU. The marine exports to the European Union increased to Rs 1,819.28 crore in 2004-05 as against Rs 1,470.99 crore in the previous year," he said.

The country's marine exports touched Rs 6,646.69 crore in 2004-05 as against Rs 6,091.95 crore in 2003-04, reflecting a growth of 9.11 per cent.

Of the total marine exports of Rs 6,646.69 crore, exports to the US market were Rs 1,556.09 crore in 2004-05 as against Rs 1,682.06 crore in 2003-04. Exports to Japan were Rs 1,202.45 crore during last fiscal as against Rs 1,163.69 crore in the preceding year.

India exported Rs 693.25 crore worth of marine products to China, Rs 628.83 crore to southeast Asia, Rs 244.42 crore to Middle East and Rs 502.37 crore to other countries.

Of the total marine products exports, frozen shrimp continued to be the largest item in terms of value, contributing 63.50 per cent. Frozen shrimp worth Rs 4,220.67 crore was exported during the last fiscal as against Rs 4,013.07 crore in 2003-04, a growth of 5.17 per cent.

Of the total 4.61 lakh tonnes of marine products exported from the country in 2004-05, 1.38 lakh tonnes were frozen shrimp, and 1.59 lakh tonnes were frozen fish.

Among the ports, Pipavav port emerged as the largest port in marine products exports in terms of volumes in 2004-05.

During last fiscal, Pipavav port exported 1,09,597 tonnes of marine products, while JNPT exported 1,09,430 tonnes, Kochi port - 86,291 tonnes, Chennai port - 42,649 tonnes, Vizag port - 32,028 tonnes, Tuticorin port - 28,160 tonnes and Kolkata port -18,492 tonnes.