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Sea food exports from the state have zoomed to Rs 1817 crore in 2013-14 compared to Rs 886.15 crore in the year ago fiscal, an increase of more than 105 per cent, according to the provisional data collected by the Sea Food Exporters Association of India (Odisha region).
The surge in the exports is attributed to rise in international demand for Indian shrimps and weakening of Indian rupee against the dollar. The rupee had slumped to a record low of nearly 69 per dollar in 2013.
“About 30980 tonnes of shrimps and fishes valued at Rs 1817 crores (freight on board) were exported from the state in the last financial year. In dollar terms, it was $ 300.89 million”, said Gorachand Mohanty, president, Seafood Exporters Association of India-Odisha region.
In 2012-13, the state had exported about 23297 tonnes of seafood, SEAI sources said.
Failure of crops in Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries and demand for Indian shrimps contributed to the increase in prices by 60 per cent. About 10 per cent gain in exchange rates was icing on the cake helping the state exporters.
The association said, the exports may dip by 10 to 20 per cent in 2014-15 due to the strengthening of rupee.
Traders said, the prices of shrimps of 16-20 grades which were hovering at $ 9 per kg in 2012-13 rose to about $16 in 2013-14. Odisha exports most its products to the United States, European countries and Japan .
The exporters association said, about 10000 tonne of shrimps exported were procured from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and processed in the state.
“Odisha produces about 14000-15000 tonnes of shrimps and 6000 tonnes of fishes while the balance are procured from Andhra Pradesh which has led to surge in exports from the state”, Mohanty rued.
What provided confidence to Odisha traders to strike export deals was the bumper Vannemei shrimps production in the neighbouring state which is estimated at over one lakh tonne.
“It is high time that Paradeep Port Trust should start referred container shipments as the exporters are routing the materials through the Kolkata and Vizag ports. The proposal for sea food park, suffering from inordinately delay, should be taken up immediately”, Mohanty said.
