EU Clears India for Continued Seafood Exports
India added to revised EU draft list for aquaculture exports beyond September 2026
- EU includes India in revised aquaculture export list
- Decision ensures continued seafood exports to European market
- India’s seafood exports to EU rise over 41 per cent
- Farmed shrimp remains key export product to Europe
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th May: India has been included in the revised draft list published by the European Union for continued export of aquaculture products to European markets beyond September 2026.
The revised draft list issued on May 12 addresses concerns that emerged after India was omitted from an earlier EU regulation issued in October 2024.
Officials said the latest move reflects the EU’s confidence in India’s food safety systems, residue monitoring mechanisms and regulatory compliance standards.
Compliance Measures Recognised
The revised draft follows compliance measures undertaken by India in line with European Commission regulations related to antimicrobial use in food-producing animals.
The EU stated that countries included in the updated list had demonstrated compliance with restrictions on antimicrobial medicinal products and provided necessary guarantees under European regulations.
Once formally adopted, the revised regulation is expected to ensure uninterrupted exports of Indian aquaculture products to the EU market after September 2026.
EU Emerges as Major Seafood Market
According to official data, the EU became India’s third-largest seafood export market during 2025-26.
Seafood exports to the EU accounted for 18.94 per cent of India’s total seafood export value, reaching nearly 1.593 billion US dollars.
Officials said export value to European markets increased by 41.45 per cent over the previous year, while export quantity rose by 38.29 per cent.
Farmed shrimp continued to dominate India’s seafood exports to the region.
MPEDA, EIC Efforts Highlighted
The government credited sustained efforts by the Marine Products Export Development Authority and the Export Inspection Council for strengthening regulatory compliance and promoting responsible aquaculture practices.
Authorities highlighted programmes such as the National Residue Control Programme, post-harvest testing and surveillance systems for banned antibiotics.
The government said India had significantly improved traceability, quality assurance and residue monitoring systems in seafood processing and aquaculture production.
Officials added that the development is expected to support export growth, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings from the seafood sector.
