India reinstated in EU Export framework for seafood trade continuity

India has been included in the European Union’s revised draft list permitting continued exports of aquaculture products to the 27-member bloc, a development expected to ensure uninterrupted shipments beyond September 2026. The updated draft, released on May 12, follows India’s compliance actions aligned with European Commission Delegated Regulation governing antimicrobial use in food-producing animals.

Compliance with EU Antimicrobial Standards Drives Inclusion

The European Commission stated that the revised list includes countries demonstrating adherence to strict EU norms on antimicrobial restrictions in animal production. The inclusion reflects India’s submission of required guarantees and regulatory assurances under the framework governing food safety standards for animal-origin exports.

Earlier Exclusion Reversed After Regulatory Alignment

India had been excluded from the EU’s implementing regulation issued on October 4, 2024, which initially omitted the country from the list of approved exporters of animal-origin products intended for human consumption from September 2026 onwards. The revised draft now restores market continuity pending formal adoption.

Significant Boost for India’s Seafood Export Sector

Officials described the development as a major positive signal for India’s seafood industry, particularly as the EU accounted for 18.94 per cent of total export value in 2025–26, worth $ 1.59 billion. The bloc emerged as the third-largest destination for Indian seafood exports during the period.

Strong Growth in EU Demand for Indian Aquaculture

Exports to the EU recorded robust expansion, with value rising by 41.45 per cent and volume increasing by 38.29 per cent in the last fiscal year. Farmed shrimp constituted the dominant share of shipments, underscoring India’s growing role in global aquaculture supply chains.

Strengthened Regulatory Systems Behind Market Access

The inclusion has been attributed to sustained compliance efforts led by the Department of Commerce in coordination with the Marine Products Export Development Authority and the Export Inspection Council. Key interventions include the National Residue Control Programme, post-harvest testing systems, surveillance for banned antibiotics, and farmer-level awareness initiatives aimed at strengthening food safety and traceability standards.