Discover The Role of MPEDA in Boosting India’s Seafood Exports 2024

One name takes center stage when navigating the vast seas of India’s seafood exports – MPEDA, the Marine Products Export Development Authority. But what exactly is MPEDA, and how does it steer the ship in India’s marine exports? Let’s unravel the mysteries, exploring MPEDA’s functions, initiatives, and impact on the industry.

MPEDA: Guiding the Waves of Seafood Excellence

Established in 1972, MPEDA functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as the captain of India’s marine products industry. Its mission? To hoist the sails of seafood exports, ensuring quality and sustainability. Now, let’s dive into its diverse roles:

Export Promotion & Market Development:

• MPEDA sets sail to international trade fairs, linking Indian exporters with global buyers.
• It charts the seas of market research, providing exporters with trade intelligence and global trends.
• MPEDA establishes overseas outposts, offering exporters on-the-ground support in key markets.

Regulatory Framework & Quality Control:

• A crucial deckhand, MPEDA formulates and implements quality standards for seafood products, aligning with global norms.
• Operating laboratories across India, it ensures the safety and compliance of products through rigorous testing and analysis.
• MPEDA advocates for sustainable practices through Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Infrastructure & Development:

• MPEDA builds ports in the form of modern infrastructure – fish processing plants and cold storage units – streamlining the export voyage.
• Coastal aquaculture is its fertile ground, offering farmers technical guidance and financial support.
• It promotes responsible fishing practices and conservation, ensuring the seas remain bountiful.

Information & Capacity Building:

• MPEDA hosts training programs and workshops, enhancing the skills of exporters, processors, and fish farmers.
• Its publications, newsletters, and research reports keep industry stakeholders abreast of developments and regulations.
• By fostering dialogue and collaboration, MPEDA becomes the wind in the sails of growth and development.

List of products under MPEDA for export:

Top 10 Importer Countries of Marine Products from India (2023-24)

Rank	Country	Import Value (USD Million)	Percentage of Total Exports
1	United States	1,450	18.5%
2	Vietnam	1,200	15.3%
3	China	1,050	13.4%
4	Thailand	850	10.8%
5	Indonesia	780	9.9%
6	Japan	750	9.6%
7	Malaysia	680	8.7%
8	Saudi Arabia	650	8.3%
9	United Arab Emirates	600	7.7%
10	Bangladesh	580	7.4%

• United States Sailing Ahead: Anchored firmly at the forefront, the United States stands as the largest importer of Indian marine products, commanding nearly 19% of the total export value. A maritime giant in India’s seafood saga.
• Southeast Asia Takes the Helm: The maritime tides sway toward Southeast Asia, with countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia emerging as major players. Together, they hoist the sails for over 30% of India’s seafood exports, painting a vibrant seascape of collaboration.
• Middle East on the Rise: The Middle East emerges as a promising market for Indian seafood, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates gracing the horizon prominently. A testament to the expanding reach of India’s marine treasures.
• Top 10 Importers in the Spotlight: This list sets its spotlight on the top 10 importers based on value, offering a glimpse into the most significant partnerships in the global seafood trade. However, the shores of India’s exports touch over 120 countries worldwide, showcasing the vastness of its maritime connections.

MPEDA Certificates and Licenses: Understanding Your Needs

In the intricate tapestry of India’s seafood exports, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) takes the helm, ensuring a voyage marked by quality and safety. For those venturing into this maritime journey, understanding the specific certificates and licenses from MPEDA is pivotal, tailored to different roles in the industry.

For Exporter:

• Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC): If you’re venturing into seafood exports, MPEDA’s Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is your gateway, a mandatory pass for all seafood exporters in India. This essential document validates you as an official exporter of seafood products. It’s not just a piece of paper—it opens doors to a world of benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), potentially giving you customs and excise advantages. Think of RCMC as your passport to export success. Once you have it, you’re set for five years of smooth sailing in the export world. Getting this certificate is simple: Register as an exporter with MPEDA, and you’re on your way to seizing international trade opportunities.
• Catch Certificate: Imagine a fish’s passport—this is the catch certificate! It’s the official stamp verifying that seafood was caught following strict regulations. Just like passports ensure safe travel for humans, catch certificates protect fish populations and reassure consumers that their seafood was caught responsibly. These certificates are vital for international trade, allowing countries to keep tabs on imported fish and uphold sustainable fishing practices. Dive into compliance with a certificate from the Department of Fisheries, assuring that the catch adheres to regulations and was sourced from Indian waters.
• Certificate of Origin: Consider this document as your goods’ birth certificate for international trade. It confirms where your products were made, acting as a crucial tool for customs officials to determine import duties and ensure compliance with trade agreements. Essentially, a certificate of origin gives your products the green light to enter foreign markets with the right treatment, based on their birthplace. Stamped by MPEDA, this certifies that your seafood is a proud product of India.
• DS-2031 Certificate: The DS-2031 is the guardian of sea turtles in the shrimp industry. Required by the U.S. Department of State for shrimp imports, it ensures that the shrimp don’t harm any of these endangered creatures during harvesting. Whether from a certified country or harvested using approved methods, this certificate ensures the shrimp industry treads lightly on sea turtle habitats, promoting sustainability. If your shipments set sail for the European Union, this certificate showcases compliance with specific regulations.
• ICCAT Certificate: Issued by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), this certificate guarantees that certain fish, like tuna, marlin, and swordfish, meet ICCAT regulations. It’s a must-have for countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean to ensure fish stocks remain sustainable, reflecting a shared commitment to responsible fishing practices.
• Other Certificates: In addition to these standard certificates, some products require specialized documentation for smooth international trade, you might need additional documents like a Non-Radio Activity Certificate or a Duty-Free Import Certificate.
  • Non-Radioactivity Certificate: This certificate assures that materials, especially food items like fish, have safe radioactivity levels as per the importing country’s standards. It’s a crucial aspect of ensuring consumer safety and facilitating hassle-free trade.
  • Certificate of Legal Origin: MPEDA issues this certificate upon request to verify that seafood products originated from Indian waters and were obtained legally. It’s essential for securing preferential trade benefits in countries like Chile, where legal origin certification opens doors to smoother trade relations.
  • Duty-Free Import Certificate: MPEDA issues this certificate to facilitate the duty-free import of specified items required for processing and packaging marine products for export. It’s another valuable tool in streamlining the export-import process, supporting the growth of the marine products industry.
• Health Certificate: While MPEDA doesn’t directly issue health certificates, they play a vital role in ensuring the safety and origin of seafood products destined for export. They oversee various certificates that indirectly contribute to the health aspects of Indian seafood exports. These certificates cover a range of assurances, from verifying the absence of radioactivity to confirming that the catch comes from legal sources. Although they may not bear the label of “health certificates,” their role in promoting the safety and quality of Indian seafood on the global market cannot be understated. Through these measures, MPEDA safeguards both the reputation of Indian seafood and the well-being of consumers worldwide. Ensuring your product meets the sanitary and health requirements of the importing country, this certificate is issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries.

For Processing Units:

• Registration Certificate (RC) for Processing Plant & Handling Facility: Mandatory for those handling and processing seafood for export.
• Registration Certificate (RC) for Storage Premises: Required for storage facilities utilized for export purposes.
• HACCP Certification: A nod to internationally recognized Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles for food safety.
• GAP Certification: For aquaculture farms supplying seafood for export, adhering to Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) is recommended.

For Aquaculture Farms:

• Hatchery Enrolment: Voluntarily enrolling in this program is beneficial for hatcheries supplying seed for export-oriented aquaculture.
• Farm Enrolment: Aquaculture farms producing seafood for export can voluntarily enroll in this program.
• GAP Certification: Ensuring Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) standards in your farm is a recommendation for sustainability and quality.

FAQs on MPEDA:

Conclusion:

MPEDA stands tall as the guiding lighthouse for India’s marine products industry, steering through the currents of international trade and regulations. Its approach, as diverse as the marine life it oversees, promotes export growth, ensures quality, and fosters sustainable practices. With MPEDA’s expertise and resources as the wind in their sails, Indian seafood exporters can navigate towards success in the global market, ensuring the world continues to relish the bounty of India’s marine treasures.

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