India’s Pipavav Port has topped the table in the region for the second consecutive year in seafood exports in FY13 in terms of quantity with an increase of six per cent over the previous fiscal period.
Export figures from the Marine Products Export Development Authority showed that the port had handled 2,33,738 tonnes of marine exports as against 2,19,801 tonnes in FY12.
In value terms, both Vizag and Kochi maintained an almost equal share in earnings of Rs 3,344.97 crore and Rs 3,265.64 crore respectively in FY13 with Vizag registering a 26.12 per cent increase in value terms and Kochi registering 14.22 per cent. Exports of vannamei shrimps contributed substantially to the higher earnings of Vizag.
Pipavav registered a three per cent increase, from Rs 2,710.34 crore to Rs 2,808.25 crore.
Kochi port was second in quantity-wise exports, at almost 1,62,109 tonnes, an increase of 6.34 per cent over the previous year with JNPT close behind, handling 1,45,723 tonnes in FY13.
South-East Asia maintained its position as the largest buyer of marine products, followed by the EU, the US, Japan, China and the Middle East.
The installation of a modern power supply system for reefer containers at Vallarpadam, Kochi, has helped fuel the increase together with an additional storage facility at the Q-9 berth in the Ernakulam Wharf available for seafood exporters for interim storage of reefer containers, helping Kochi attain competitiveness as a gateway for seafood exports from the country.
