Aquaculture in

India 2023
Introduction
• Aquaculture in India has been a significant
industry for several decades, contributing to the
economy and providing valuable employment
opportunities.
• As of 2023, the aquaculture sector in India has
seen significant growth and development, with
various advancements in technology and
practices.
 Overview of aquaculture
in India
• Aquaculture has a rich history in India,
dating back to ancient times, with diverse
practices across different regions.India is
one of the world’s leading producers of
fish and shrimp through aquaculture,
with a vast coastline and favorable
climatic conditions.Major species
cultured include freshwater fish (such as
carp, tilapia, and catfish) and marine
species (such as shrimp and
seaweed).The aquaculture sector plays a
crucial role in meeting domestic demand
for seafood and fulfilling export
requirements.
 Current status of
aquaculture
• In 2023, India’s aquaculture production
continued to grow steadily, with
increased adoption of modern farming
techniques and improved infrastructure
• .Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West
Bengal, Gujarat, and Kerala are among
the leading states in aquaculture
production.Shrimp farming, particularly
the cultivation of vannamei shrimp, has
witnessed significant expansion,
contributing substantially to export
earnings.Government initiatives, such as
the Blue Revolution, have aimed to
enhance fish production, promote
sustainable practices, and provide
support to fish farmers.
 Production trends
• In 2023, India maintained its position as
one of the world’s largest producers of
aquaculture products.
• The production of both freshwater and
marine species witnessed steady growth,
with key species including shrimp, fish,
and shellfish.
• Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West
Bengal, and Gujarat remained the leading
states in aquaculture production,
accounting for a significant portion of the
country’s total output.
 Major species cultured
• Shrimp farming continued to dominate
India’s aquaculture landscape in 2023,
with black tiger shrimp and vannamei
shrimp being the primary species
cultivated.
• Additionally, freshwater fish farming,
including species like carp, tilapia, and
catfish, remained a key component of
India’s aquaculture sector.
• Shellfish cultivation, particularly mussels
and oysters, also contributed to the
overall production.
 Environmental
sustainability
• While aquaculture offers significant
economic benefits, concerns regarding its
environmental impact persisted in 2023.
• Issues such as habitat destruction, water
pollution, and disease outbreaks
remained challenges that needed to be
addressed through sustainable practices,
ecosystem-based management
approaches, and regular monitoring of
water quality.
 Technology advancement
• In 2023, technological advancements
played a crucial role in enhancing the
productivity and efficiency of India’s
aquaculture industry.
• The adoption of techniques such as
recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS),
biofloc technology, and automated
feeding systems improved water
management, disease control, and feed
utilization, leading to higher yields and
better quality produce.
 Policy framework
• The Indian government continued to
focus on promoting the sustainable
growth of the aquaculture sector
through various policy initiatives in
2023.
• Measures were taken to streamline
licensing procedures, provide financial
incentives for small-scale farmers, and
strengthen regulatory frameworks to
ensure environmental sustainability
and food safety standards.
 Oversupply and stagnant
demand
• On one side, there has been an
oversupply of shrimp in the global
market, and on the other side, the demand
has remained subdued due to inflation in
the US, Europe, and China, our major
markets.
• Both these factors resulted in lower
prices for the farmers. There was,
however, little to no difference in prices
at the consumer level in the markets,
therefore it may be assumed that buyers
in the importing countries bargained for
lower prices because of oversupply and
did not pass their benefits to the
consumers.
 Mismatch in Imports &
Production Figures
• As per available data from various
sources, India imported 25% fewer
broodstocks compared to the previous
year but this reduction is not reflected
in the production and export data.
• Society of Aquaculture Professionals
(SAP) in their annual shrimp crop
review meeting on January 5, 2024,
came up with a preliminary production
estimate of 8-9 lakh tonnes in 2023.
 Farmers’ Sentiment
• Due to the prevailing negative sentiment,
farmers may not stock as they used to and
hence there would be a reduced
production expected in 2024.
• Almost all presenters at the Shrimp Crop
2023 Review meeting by SAP opined that
the production would be lower by 20-
25%.
• Global production might keep increasing,
particularly in South America which is
better in genetics, disease management,
and scale of production as there are fewer
players.
 Unified marketing
approach
• With increased production, there is an
urgent need for unified marketing efforts.
• Traditionally, the USA, Europe, and
Japan have been the export destinations
for Indian shrimp and recently China has
become an important destination also.
• While there has been reduced demand
from Japan due to low consumption, it is
compensated for by China which is
importing more shrimp.
 Developing Domestic
Market
• India, with the largest population
in the world, has great potential
for domestic consumption.
• However, it needs infrastructure
development to fully realize this
potential. Industry players and
farmers are beginning to see this
as an OPPORTUNITY
 India is no more in
isolation
• Marketing strategies that worked 10
years ago for the Indian Shrimp industry
are no longer relevant in the present
scenario.
• Today, India is one of the biggest global
suppliers of shrimp and hence it needs to
be competitive enough to remain in
business.
• Buyers have also become more stringent
with respect to certifications, zero
tolerance on antibiotic residues, etc.
 Fish industry
• India is a major producer of freshwater fish
like carp and Pangasius. Pangasius can be
cultured in high densities so it is a preferred
species for culture all over India.
• In 2023, the price of Pangasius declined for
most of the year and farmers in Andhra
Pradesh where Pangasius is widely farmed,
lost money.
• Expanding fish culture in Northern and
Eastern India puts pressure on the price of fish
in AP which depends on the northern and
eastern markets for consumption.
• However, markets for fish are expanding with
the rising demand for processed or ready-to-
cook fish, which are largely imported from
Vietnam.
 New feed mills in North
India
• Along with fish sector growth in North
& East India, feed manufacturers are
also investing in the region.
• Even some established players from
South India might invest in states like
Bihar, UP, Orissa, West Bengal, etc. A
large project for producing Rainbow
Trout is being established in Kashmir
and will come into production in 2024.
 Crises in fishmeal and fish
oil
• Major producing areas of fishmeal and
fish oil in South America are highly
impacted by El Nino.
• Hence, there was lesser availability of
both ingredients and increased exports
from India.
• The prices of fishmeal went up from
USD 1500 to USD 2000 per tonne and
fish oil prices went up from USD
2000-2500 to USD 5000 per tonne.
 Challenges
• Despite its growth, India’s aquaculture
sector faced several challenges in 2023.
• These included disease outbreaks
affecting shrimp production, fluctuations
in input costs, lack of access to finance
and technology for small-scale farmers,
and environmental concerns.
• Addressing these challenges required
concerted efforts from the government,
industry stakeholders, and research
institutions.
 Future prospectus
• Looking ahead, India’s aquaculture
industry holds immense potential for
further growth and development.
• The adoption of innovative technologies,
investment in infrastructure development,
promotion of sustainable practices, and
tapping into new markets both
domestically and internationally are key
strategies for realizing this potential.
• Additionally, capacity building, research
and development, and collaboration
between public and private sectors will
be essential for ensuring the long-term
sustainability and competitiveness of
India’s aquaculture sector.
 Conclusion
• The aquaculture sector in India witnessed
significant progress in 2023, contributing
to food security, employment generation,
and economic growth
• While facing challenges, the industry
also embraced technological
advancements and policy support to
enhance productivity and sustainability.
• With continued efforts towards
innovation, regulation, and
environmental stewardship, India’s
aquaculture industry is poised for a
promising future in the years to come.