Mumbai: In a major boost to India’s seafood sector, the European Union (EU) has approved 102 additional Indian fish farming units for exports to its member countries. The approval comes as a relief for Indian exporters struggling with the impact of the United States’ recently imposed 50 percent tariff on Indian seafood products.

With the new approvals, the total number of Indian units eligible to export to the EU has now risen to 604. According to the Commerce Department, this development will significantly expand market access for Indian marine products, particularly aquaculture shrimp and cephalopods, including squid, cuttlefish, and octopus.

Officials said that the EU market is among the most profitable and quality-sensitive destinations for Indian seafood. The inclusion of more units will provide exporters from coastal states and union territories an opportunity to diversify their products and strengthen trade relations with Europe.

India had exported seafood worth USD 1.1 billion to the EU in FY 2023–24. The latest approvals are expected to help boost that figure further, offsetting some of the losses caused by the steep US tariff. Industry experts believe this move could help stabilize prices, maintain production levels, and protect jobs in India’s coastal economy.