Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Visits MPEDA, Addresses Seafood Sector Challenges

KOCHI, Feb 21, 2025 – Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, visited the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) headquarters in Kochi today, engaging with key stakeholders from India’s seafood industry.
During his visit, Minister Goyal held review meetings with officials from the Rubber Board, Spices Board, and MPEDA, focusing on opportunities and challenges facing these sectors.
“Ask for the moon, and the government will bring it for you,” Goyal declared, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring product quality. He pledged to upgrade laboratories with cutting-edge technology to meet international standards and highlighted the importance of sustainability initiatives like PM Matsya Teyojana in supporting the marine industry.
In discussions on seafood exports, Goyal noted positive trends in exports to the United States, which accounts for 36% of India’s seafood exports. However, exports to China, Japan, and Vietnam have declined due to factors including excessive shrimp production in Ecuador and China, along with lower unit prices.
The minister praised MPEDA’s efforts to address export challenges, particularly the implementation of Turtle Excluder Devices required by the US for wild-caught shrimp imports. He also commended MPEDA’s training programs for farmers, fishers, and processors, which focus on hygiene practices and production of value-added seafood products.
During stakeholder meetings, industry representatives raised concerns about market access, regulatory challenges, and environmental issues. Specific issues included pollution in Vembanad Lake affecting shrimp farming and concerns from fishermen about potential catch losses due to Turtle Excluder Devices.
In response, Minister Goyal announced the initiation of a Credit Guarantee Scheme by MPEDA to support small fish farms and instructed MPEDA to expedite the registration process with the Coastal Aquaculture Authority.
MPEDA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is dedicated to developing and regulating marine product exports from India while promoting sustainable practices and quality standards.