Bengal’s shrimp export market braces for tariff jolt
Times of India | 28 August 2025
Kolkata: The 50% tariff imposed by the US is likely to jolt Bengal's Rs 5,000 crore-6,000 crore shrimp or prawn exports market. Shrimp or prawn is among Bengal's top 10 exports. The state produces around 70,000 tonnes of prawns every year, 85% of which is exported. Bengal currently earns Rs 8,000 crore in revenue from frozen prawn export, 80% of which comes from the US.
"The imposition of tariff on Indian imports in the US will trigger a major setback in our shrimp export market, given the rising demand from the US, which is the highest-paying importer of shrimp or prawn from Bengal and other parts of the country," an exporter said, adding, "Many farmers have taken up shrimp production over the past few years given the rising demand from the US.
"In 2018-19, Bengal's sea prawn exports had been banned because US law mandated use of turtle excluder devices (TED), which prevents turtles from getting caught in the net. | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata"This resulted in rise of shrimp cultivation in paddy or other fields in villages. Since 2023, Bengal's revenue from shrimp export has almost doubled to Rs 6,000 crore. We make around Rs 2,000 crore by exporting to some countries in East Asia and the Gulf," the exporter added.
A senior state fisheries department official said: "We train local youths in growing shrimp in cultivable land and ‘bheries', including East Kolkata Wetlands. Farmers are earming more growing shrimps than harvesting crops. They are also selling it in local markets for Rs 500-600 per kg.
"Nearly 70% of the shrimp produced in India comes from Andhra Pradesh. Bengal produces the second-most amount of shrimp, nearly 15%. Gujarat and Odisha come in third and fourth respectively.