Enhancing Marine Exports: MPEDA’s Initiatives

India’s coastline stretches over 8,000 kilometers, and the nation’s seafood industry has grown into a global powerhouse. Behind this remarkable success stands a single government body that has quietly shaped the industry for over five decades. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) serves as the backbone of India’s marine export ecosystem, driving quality standards, promoting aquaculture, and connecting Indian exporters with markets worldwide.

The foundation of India’s marine export success 🔗

MPEDA was established through an act of Parliament in 1972, replacing the Marine Products Export Promotion Council that had operated since 1961. Headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, this statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry carries the mandate to promote marine products with special reference to exports from India.

The authority’s scope extends far beyond simple export promotion. MPEDA has the power to regulate marine product exports and implement measures ensuring sustained, quality seafood reaches international markets. Its responsibilities cover everything from shrimp, prawns, lobsters, and crabs to fish, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms designated as marine products under the Act.

The results speak volumes. During the financial year 2022-23, India exported 17,35,286 metric tonnes of seafood worth USD 8.09 billion, marking an all-time high in both volume and value. The United States and China remain the largest importers of Indian seafood, with frozen shrimp leading the export categories.

Core objectives driving the industry forward 🔗

MPEDA operates with multiple interconnected objectives that address every aspect of the marine export value chain. These objectives include conserving fishery resources, registering exporters and related infrastructure, providing training to stakeholders, and gathering market intelligence that helps Indian businesses compete globally.

Exporter registration and infrastructure management 🔗

One of MPEDA’s statutory functions involves registering fishing vessels, processing plants, storage premises, and conveyances used for transporting marine products. Exporters must obtain a Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) to export marine products from India. This registration system categorizes exporters into four types: Manufacturer Exporters who own approved processing facilities, Merchant Exporters who utilize surplus capacity of approved facilities, Route through Merchant Exporters who are certified Export or Trading Houses, and Ornamental Fish Exporters dealing exclusively in decorative aquatic species.

Market intelligence and trade information 🔗

MPEDA collects and disseminates crucial trade information that enables exporters to make informed decisions. This includes data on international market trends, pricing dynamics, regulatory changes in importing countries, and emerging opportunities. The authority monitors tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting seafood exports and works with territorial divisions of the Department of Commerce to address trade issues.

Assistance schemes for export growth 🔗

MPEDA implements various assistance schemes designed to address specific challenges across the marine export ecosystem. These schemes fall under three broad categories: export production enhancement, market promotion activities, and technology modernization.

Export production schemes 🔗

To increase the volume and quality of exportable marine products, MPEDA offers financial and technical assistance for production enhancement. This includes subsidies for installing storage facilities like insulated fish holds and ice-making machines. Financial assistance supports cold chain development through subsidized distribution of insulated fish boxes, acquisition of refrigerated trucks, construction of cold storage facilities, and setting up or renovating ice plants.

The authority also provides support for new area development in shrimp and scampi culture, helping farmers establish aquaculture operations that meet export quality standards. A scheme called Technology Development for Specific Value-Added Marine Products (TDSVMP) reimburses beneficiaries for initial investments in processing infrastructure and value addition, subject to meeting specified conditions.

Market promotion initiatives 🔗

MPEDA actively promotes Indian seafood in international markets through multiple strategies. The authority organizes participation in international trade fairs, arranging India pavilions at major seafood exhibitions worldwide. These platforms allow exporters to showcase their products directly to international buyers.

Beyond trade fairs, MPEDA facilitates buyer-seller meets that create direct interactions between Indian suppliers and foreign purchasers. The authority also conducts promotional campaigns highlighting Indian seafood quality, sustainability practices, and product diversity. Branding and advertising initiatives in various markets help build recognition for Indian marine products globally.

Quality control mechanisms 🔗

Ensuring product quality remains central to MPEDA’s mission. The authority operates a comprehensive quality control system that spans the entire production and export chain.

Laboratory network 🔗

MPEDA has established four state-of-the-art laboratories at Kochi (Kerala), Nellore (Andhra Pradesh), Bhimavaram (Andhra Pradesh), and Bhubaneswar (Odisha). These facilities implement the National Residue Control Plan and analyze commercial samples. Additionally, eleven ELISA laboratories across maritime states conduct pre-harvest screening for banned antibiotic residues like Chloramphenicol and Nitrofuran Metabolites in aquaculture products.

National Residue Control Plan 🔗

Since 1998, MPEDA has monitored aquaculture products for various parameters including antibiotics and pesticides. The residue monitoring programme was renamed the National Residue Control Plan (NRCP) in 2004 to align with European Union requirements. Under this plan, samples are collected from production and processing centers across India and tested for residues according to EU directives. The NRCP undergoes annual review based on EU feedback, recommendations from Food and Veterinary Office missions, and rapid alerts for Indian marine products exported to the EU.

Quality certification 🔗

MPEDA launched a logo scheme in 2010 that serves as a symbol of quality for seafood products exported from India. This voluntary certification program helps create a distinctive Indian brand image in international markets. The authority also supports HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) implementation in processing facilities, ensuring systematic approaches to food safety management.

Aquaculture promotion through specialized societies 🔗

Recognizing aquaculture’s growing importance in meeting export demand, MPEDA established three specialized societies that focus on research, extension, and farmer empowerment.

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture 🔗

The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA) functions as MPEDA’s research and development arm. This organization undertakes landmark projects including a pilot-scale marine finfish hatchery at Vizhinjam in Kerala, a grouper hatchery project in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and seabass and mud crab hatchery projects in Tamil Nadu. RGCA focuses on applied research in diversified species such as seabass, cobia, pompano, tilapia, groupers, and mud crab, aiming to expand India’s export-oriented aquaculture base beyond traditional shrimp.

NETFISH for sustainable fishing 🔗

The Network for Fish Quality Management and Sustainable Fishing (NETFISH) was formed in 2006 to enhance fishery product quality while promoting sustainable practices. NETFISH educates fishers, fish handling workers, and stakeholders about quality management, conservation, and responsible fishing methods. The society has pioneered initiatives like the DROP (Drive to Recover Ocean Plastic) project, working with fishing communities to address marine plastic waste. NETFISH also collects data on marine mammals and sea turtles, contributing to ecosystem protection efforts.

NaCSA for small-scale farmers 🔗

The National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) was established in 2007 at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, to support small-scale shrimp farmers who constitute over 90% of India’s shrimp farming community. The formation of NaCSA responded to the devastating White Spot Shrimp Disease outbreak in the late 1990s that crippled export-oriented shrimp farming.

NaCSA organizes farmers into societies and educates them on Better Management Practices (BMP) for safe and sustainable shrimp farming. The organization promotes a cluster approach where neighboring farmers synchronize their operations, reducing production costs and improving disease management. NaCSA has organized over 940 farmer societies, conducted hundreds of awareness campaigns against antibiotic use, and established disease diagnostic labs called Aqua One Centres providing water quality testing and diagnostic services.

Extensive organizational network 🔗

To serve stakeholders across India’s vast coastline, MPEDA maintains an extensive presence through regional offices, sub-regional divisions, and desk offices in eighteen locations including Veraval, Porbandar, Mumbai, Mangalore, Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, and Port Blair. This decentralized structure ensures services reach even remote coastal areas while allowing the authority to understand local challenges and implement targeted interventions.

International presence 🔗

MPEDA operates Trade Promotion Offices in strategic international locations including New Delhi, Tokyo (Japan), and New York (USA). These overseas offices maintain direct presence in key export markets, facilitating trade relationships and addressing market access issues. India currently exports seafood to more than 120 countries, with these offices playing crucial roles in market development and exporter support.

Future growth trajectory 🔗

MPEDA has set ambitious targets for India’s marine export sector. The authority aims to double seafood exports by 2030, with a particular focus on value-added products. Current targets include reaching 20% value-added seafood product exports by 2030, reflecting changing consumer preferences in international markets. MPEDA has developed a roadmap to achieve USD 14 billion in marine product exports, identifying necessary interventions in production, value addition, and market promotion.

The authority continues implementing new initiatives like SHAPHARI certification for farms and hatcheries to ensure antibiotic residue-free aquaculture produce. A Nucleus Breeding Centre for Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) Tiger Shrimp breeding has been established in Andaman Island, supporting disease-free seed production for farmers.

What do you think? How might India’s focus on sustainability certifications and value-added processing shape its competitive position against other major seafood exporting nations? What role should technology and automation play in helping small-scale aquaculture farmers meet increasingly stringent international quality standards?

References

1. https://mpeda.gov.in/?page_id=386
2. https://www.commerce.gov.in/about-us/autonomous-bodies/the-marine-products-export-development-authority-mpeda/
3. https://www.dripcapital.com/en-in/resources/blog/mpeda-register-online-subsidy-schemes
4. https://spsnellore.ap.gov.in/marine-products-export-development-authority-mpeda/
5. https://www.mpeda.gov.in/indianseafood/?p=997
6. https://mpeda.gov.in/farmers/?page_id=1795