With U.S. President Donald Trump announcing a 25% tariff on Indian products, the aquaculture sector in Andhra Pradesh is likely to be severely affected, causing significant losses to shrimp farmers whose produces are exported.
The revised tariff imposed by the Trump administration will come into effect on August 7.
Aquaculture farmers in Andhra Pradesh who are exporting their produce to the U.S.A. have to bear about 35% tariff, including 25% tariff, 5.77% countervailing duty and 3.96% anti-dumping duty from August 7, says the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) members.
Approximately 6.5 lakh aquaculture farmers cultivate shrimp, crab, fish, and other varieties in 5.7 lakh acres in Andhra Pradesh. Nearly 50 lakh persons are employed in the aqua sector, including in ponds, laboratories, export companies, processing and packing units, hatcheries, feed companies, ice factories and cold storage units.
During the 2023-24 financial year, India exported 17,81,602 metric tonnes of seafood worth $7.38 Billion (₹60,523.89 crore). The contribution of Andhra Pradesh was 9.52% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), worth around ₹19,428 crore, said Joint Director (Aquaculture) Shaik Lal Mohammad.
