The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) has requested the Union government to provide urgent policy and financial assistance to the Indian shrimp export industry. The industry is in crisis due to a new 50% U.S. tariff, which is in addition to existing countervailing and anti-dumping duties. Andhra Pradesh, as the largest shrimp producer, is severely impacted, and the livelihoods of over 2.8 crore people are at risk. India is the world’s second-largest seafood exporter, with exports totaling $7.38 billion in FY 2023-24, and shrimp accounts for over 66% of India’s seafood export earnings.
AP Chambers highlighted several structural challenges, including low domestic consumption, an overreliance on whiteleg shrimp, limited value addition, and gaps in logistics and cold chain infrastructure. To combat these issues, the organization proposed 14 measures, including a nationwide campaign to promote seafood consumption, faster implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and providing financial support such as duty drawbacks, freight subsidies, export credit, and direct assistance to farmers. The Chambers stressed that swift government action is necessary to safeguard the sector’s global competitiveness.