TV
With the US imposing a steep 50% tariff on seafood imports, Odisha has implemented measures to mitigate the impact on its exporters and increase global supplies.
At a recently held high-level review meeting, the MSME department, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and other stakeholders discussed strategies to upgrade cold chain infrastructure and improve export logistics.
According to state MPEDA coordinator Subhrakant Mohapatra, frozen shrimp and fish are Odisha’s leading export commodities, with the US being the principal buyer. To safeguard the sector, the state plans to:
- Add more refrigerated container (reefer) points at Paradip Port
- Strengthen quality certification and quarantine facilities at the port level
- Develop a dedicated seafood cargo corridor between Paradip Port and Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar
- Explore cargo flights and belly cargo space for chilled and live fish exports
- Establish a modern perishable cargo handling centre at BPIA
According to The New Indian Express report, the meeting also recommended pushing for direct international flights from Bhubaneswar to the Middle East and Southeast Asian seafood markets, besides extending subsidies and financial incentives to exporters using reefer containers and air cargo.
MPEDA will further host large-scale buyer-seller meets in Odisha, with talks underway with Gulf-based LuLu Seafood Group to expand exports to the region.
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The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, MSME Principal Secretary Saswat Mishra, senior fisheries officials, Paradip Port Trust chairman, customs and airport authorities, along with MPEDA representatives.
