When life gives you tariffs, make new trade partners. That’s exactly what India’s shrimp industry did when the United States slapped massive tariffs on Indian seafood exports in 2025.
The US hit Indian shrimp with tariffs exceeding 50 percent, a huge jump from the previous 6-8 percent rates. These new charges included anti-dumping duties and other penalties that took effect in August 2025. Suddenly, Indian shrimp became much more expensive for American buyers, making it harder to compete with rivals like Ecuador.
But India’s seafood exporters didn’t just sit around feeling sorry for themselves. Instead, they packed their bags and headed to new markets. Non-US destinations now account for 57 percent of India’s shrimp exports, up from 51 percent the previous year. It’s like switching from one crowded restaurant to several amazing new ones with better prices.
China became a superstar destination, with shrimp exports surging 24.54 percent to reach $568 million between April and October 2025. Vietnam proved even more dramatic, with exports skyrocketing an incredible 123.63 percent to $261.67 million during the same period. These two countries, along with Belgium and Russia, grabbed 86 percent of the additional export gains.
The strategy worked brilliantly. Total shrimp export value jumped 18 percent to $2.43 billion in the first five months of fiscal year 2026. Export volumes also increased by 11 percent, reaching 348,000 metric tons. Meanwhile, overall marine product exports rose 16.18 percent to $4.87 billion. The success reflects how rising prices have supported stronger revenue growth even with modest volume increases. These retained earnings from successful exports can now be reinvested into expanding operations and exploring new market opportunities.
Indian exporters are now actively targeting Europe, Southeast Asia, and other regions beyond America’s shores. They’re also focusing on value-added products that fetch better prices. The government has helped by securing approvals for Indian companies to export to the European Union and Russia. Australia has also opened new opportunities by lifting its eight-year ban on Indian prawns, providing another important market for diversification.
This market diversification shows how flexible and resilient India’s seafood industry can be. While US tariffs created initial challenges, they also pushed exporters to explore exciting new opportunities. Sometimes the best response to a closed door is finding several open windows elsewhere.
