Odisha Seafood Exporters Look to Europe as India-EU Trade Pact Signals Relief from US Tariff Pressure

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s seafood exporters are looking toward the European Union (EU) for fresh growth opportunities as the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in January 2026, is expected to improve market access and lower import duties on Indian marine products, industry sources said .

The renewed focus on Europe comes amid continued tariff-related challenges in the United States, a key destination for Indian exports. Recent trade developments and higher duties imposed by the US have prompted exporters across sectors to accelerate market diversification, trade experts noted .

According to available industry data, India exported around USD 1.1 billion worth of seafood to the European Union in FY 2024–25, making the EU one of the country’s important overseas markets for marine products, including shrimp and frozen fish . Prior to the FTA, EU import tariffs on Indian seafood ranged between about 4.7% and 7.5%, affecting price competitiveness in European markets .

Under the India-EU FTA, tariffs on most marine and seafood products are expected to be eliminated once the agreement is implemented, a move exporters say could significantly improve margins and shipment volumes over the medium term .

Industry participants in Odisha said the agreement has boosted business sentiment, particularly among exporters operating along the state’s coastline. “With duty-free or lower-duty access to the EU, exporters will be better placed to compete with suppliers from other countries,” a seafood trade official said.

India’s overall seafood exports have crossed USD 8 billion in recent years, reflecting the sector’s importance to the national export basket and coastal employment . Odisha forms a growing part of this ecosystem, supported by aquaculture farms, processing units, and port infrastructure.

Exporters also highlighted that access to European markets requires strict adherence to EU food safety, hygiene, and traceability norms. Several Odisha-based firms are upgrading operations to meet these standards, including quality certification and cold-chain compliance, in anticipation of higher demand.

Trade analysts said that while the FTA’s benefits will depend on implementation timelines and regulatory alignment, the agreement provides a strategic alternative market for exporters facing uncertainty elsewhere. “Reducing dependence on a single geography is becoming essential for export stability,” an analyst said.

With the India-EU trade agreement now moving toward ratification, Odisha’s seafood exporters remain cautiously optimistic that improved access to Europe will help offset global trade pressures and support steady export growth in the coming years .