Minister Nara Lokesh, who is currently on a visit to Australia, has given a great relief to Andhra Pradesh aqua farmers that Australia has given the green signal to import shrimp from our country at a time when exports to the US are facing a crisis due to US tariffs. Lokesh, in his tweet, revealed that Australia has given conditional approval to our shrimp exports and attached documents related to the Australian permission.
Stating that Australia will import Indian shrimp till October 20, 2027, he shared the documents mentioned details of what types of shrimp will be imported, when and at what price. Australia had previously banned shrimp imports from India due to the white spot virus. Due to this, shrimp exports to Australia stopped.
“A long-standing hurdle for Indian seafood exporters has been Australia’s restrictions on unpeeled prawns due to white spot virus detection. Today, the first import approval for Indian prawns has been granted. Our deepest gratitude to the extensive work done by Indian and Australian Governments to facilitate this. We should continue to open new markets to de-risk ourselves from too much dependence on one market”, Lokesh said on X platform.
Andhra Pradesh aqua has fallen into crisis due to US President Donald Trump. Aqua farmers were troubled by the imposition of tariffs on shrimp being exported to the US. Ten types of allied sectors dependent on aqua have been affected. Due to Trump’s blow, shrimp prices have suddenly fallen in the market. 90 percent of shrimp from AP is exported abroad. Most of it is exported to the US, followed by Japan, China and other countries.
On the other hand, Minister Nara Lokesh also met with representatives of the seafood industry as part of his visit to Australia. He discussed with them the issue of aqua exports between AP and Australia. He asked the representatives of the seafood industry to cooperate in the development of this sector.
“I have been thinking about increasing the seafood trade with Australia for the last two days. Today I met Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) CEO Veronica Papacosta and Engagement Manager Jasmine Kelleher. We discussed sustainable aquaculture (fish farming) and business relations”, he said.
“Andhra Pradesh and India account for more than 60% of total seafood exports. Its value in the financial year 2024-25 is $ 7.4 billion (about Rs. 66,000 crore). I really liked the fact that Australians have created a brand called ‘Great Australian Seafood’ and promoted their seafood as premium (best quality). “They have also increased the value of their products. We have a lot to learn from them,” he added.
