US tariff hits Andhra’s shrimp exports: Prices dip 10-15% as aqua farmers feel the pinch

Jinnala Umamaheswara Rao / TNN / Updated: Apr 06, 2025, 12:05 IST

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The peak harvesting season for aqua farming in Andhra Pradesh, which significantly contributes to India's seafood exports, is being disrupted by a new 26% US tariff. Prices of aqua products have declined by 10-15%, with key varieties like the 100-count Vannamei shrimp dropping to Rs 200 per kilogram. Farmers are feeling the strain as processing plants reduce prices.

US tariff hits Andhra’s shrimp exports: Prices dip 10-15% as aqua farmers feel the pinch

VISAKHAPATNAM: April to July marks the peak harvesting season for aqua farming in Andhra Pradesh, which contributes about 33% of India's total seafood exports. However, the industry is already feeling the pinch from the 26% tariff announced on seafood exports by the US govt, with prices of aqua products going down by 10-15%, according to farmers.

For instance, the 100-count (about 100 prawns per kilogram) Vannamei shrimp variety, which used to sell for around Rs 240, is now fetching about Rs 200. Similarly, the 30-count variety has dropped from Rs 460 to Rs 410, and the 50-count variety is now selling for Rs 310 instead of Rs 350. Low-count varieties are the most preferred for exports.Andhra Pradesh Aqua Farmers' Association secretary G Subba Raju said US tariffs have become an additional burden on the sector. "Following the tariff announcement, processing plants reduced prices by nearly Rs 40-50 per kilogram.

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS

April to July is the peak harvesting season for aqua farming in Andhra Pradesh, which accounts for approximately 33% of India's total seafood exports.
The seafood export industry is adversely affected by a 26% tariff imposed by the United States government, resulting in a price decrease of 10-15% for aqua products.
Processing plants have lowered prices by nearly Rs 40-50 per kilogram following the tariff announcement, significantly impacting farmers' earnings.

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About the AuthorJinnala Umamaheswara Rao

J Umamaheswara Rao is an Assistant Editor, at the Times of India-Visakhapatnam. He reports on urban development affairs, civic infrastructure, planning policies, education, health, science, emerging technologies, startups, research, and data-driven stories. He holds postgraduate degrees in journalism & mass communication, business administration, and English, plus several fellowships & short-term courses.

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