The shrimp industry in Andhra Pradesh, which accounts for 80% of the seafood exports from India, has suffered a major setback in the last couple of months due to abnormal increase in tariffs by the United States of America, which is the largest importer of shrimps from India.
But now, there is a big relief to the shrimp industry. On Tuesday, Australia announced lifting of restrictions on shrimp imports from Andhra Pradesh and granted an initial approval for imports.
Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh, who is presently in Australia, held discussions with the Australian government and requested it to remove the restrictions.
He announced that Australia has granted an initial approval for imports of Indian shrimp, opening a conditional, time-bound window that he said would run for two years - until October 20, 2027.
Lokesh posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) that the first approval for Indian shrimp imports has been issued, thanking both the Indian and Australian governments for their efforts.
He attached documents indicating the terms of approval, including permitted shrimp categories, schedules and indicative pricing frameworks.
Australia had earlier suspended Indian shrimp imports citing traces of White Spot Syndrome Virus. More recently, India’s aquaculture exporters also faced headwinds from higher tariffs imposed by the United States, compounding market pressures.
Lokesh said reopening the Australian market would help diversify export destinations and reduce overdependence on any single market.
According to the reports, conditional clearance for Indian shrimp imports into Australia, with a stated validity up to October 20, 2027. The outline species/types, timelines and commercial parameters to be followed by importers and exporters.
Andhra Pradesh will keep working to expand alternative markets to shield the aquaculture sector from tariff shocks and sanitary restrictions.
Exporters in the aquaculture belt welcomed the development but said clarity on compliance protocols, health certifications and inspection regimes would be crucial to sustain shipments over the approval period.
