India has received a major boost in its seafood export sector after the European Union (EU) included the country in its revised draft list for the continued export of aquaculture products to the European market beyond September 2026.
The revised draft list, published by EU on May 12, addresses concerns that emerged after India was omitted from the earlier Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 issued in October 2024. That regulation had excluded India from the list of third countries authorised to export products of animal origin intended for human consumption to the EU from September 2026 onward.
The latest development comes after India undertook several compliance measures in accordance with the European Commission (EC) Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905. The regulation requires exporting countries to ensure that animals and animal products exported to the EU are free from the use of antimicrobial medicinal products for growth promotion and antimicrobials reserved for human treatment.
According to the EC’s communication, the revised list includes countries that have demonstrated compliance with EU restrictions on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals and have provided the required guarantees under EU regulations.
The proposed inclusion is being seen as a significant relief for India’s seafood industry, particularly for aquaculture exporters who depend heavily on the European market. Once the revised regulation is formally adopted by the European Commission, Indian aquaculture exports to the EU are expected to continue uninterrupted beyond September 2026.
The EU remains one of the most important destinations for Indian seafood exports. During 2025–26, the EU emerged as India’s third-largest seafood export market, accounting for 18.94 per cent of the country’s total seafood export value.
India exported seafood worth approximately US$ 1.593 billion to the EU during the period, recording a sharp increase of 41.45 per cent in value terms and 38.29 per cent in quantity compared to 2024–25. Farmed shrimp continued to dominate India’s seafood exports to the European region.
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry said the development reflects growing confidence in India’s regulatory systems, food safety standards and residue monitoring framework. The Department of Commerce, along with agencies such as the Marine Products Export Development Authority and the Export Inspection Council, played a key role in strengthening compliance mechanisms and promoting responsible aquaculture practices.
India has significantly strengthened its National Residue Control Programme (NRCP), post-harvest testing systems and surveillance mechanisms for banned antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances. Authorities have also intensified stakeholder awareness and training programmes to ensure adherence to international food safety standards.
The Ministry said India has consistently improved systems related to veterinary medicinal products, antimicrobial residue monitoring, traceability and quality assurance in aquaculture production and seafood processing.
The inclusion in the revised EU draft list is being viewed as the outcome of sustained technical engagement and regulatory cooperation between India and the European Union. Industry stakeholders believe the move will support export growth, generate employment and boost foreign exchange earnings from the country’s seafood sector.
