As Trump tariff to take effect from April 9, uncertainty looms over seafood exports to U.S.

Seafood exporters face uncertainty as U.S. imposes 26% tariff on Indian seafood exports, impacting global market.

Seafood exporters say the 26% tariff announced by U.S. President Donald Trump will come into effect from April 9, and the new tax will be levied on all Indian seafood exports billed from Wednesday.

‘’There is no clarity on resuming shipments to the U.S. that were halted after President Donald Trump levied the tariff on April 2,’‘ the Andhra Pradesh Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) leaders said.

“India exported 17,81,603 metric tonnes (MT) of seafood worth ₹60,523.89 crore during 2023-24. The U.S. accounted for 2,97,571 MT of frozen shrimp, followed by 1,48,483 MT to China, 89,697 MT to European Union, 52,254 MT to South East Asia and 35,906 MT to Japan,” the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) officials said.

“We are not in a position to tell when the seafood exports to the U.S. will resume and the SEAI cannot give the expected price list to the aqua farmers as the prices of shrimp and other products have been fluctuating in the international market,” the association leaders said.

“India is exporting seafood products to more then 100 countries. We are finding new avenues in South Korea, Russia, Singapore and other countries,” the MPEDA officials said.

The leaders of various aqua farmers’ associations, SEAI and the producers thanked the State and the Central governments for responding to the problem, and holding talks with the U.S. government.

The aqua farmers urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take special interest and provide some relief to the A.P. farmers from the reciprocal tariff announced by the U.S.