How to get india onto the global stage and increase exports (fish production/processing)

How to get India onto the global stage and increase exports (fish production/processing)

Fish Production India is considered to be one of the major fish exporters in the world. When compared to the other countries, India has a wider coastline which in turn increases the production and export of fish. Though several countries are involved in the fish processing, production and export, India stands out due to certain unique aspects. Countries like Thailand and China are also considered as the major fish exporters in the world. Though India is considered as the third largest producer of fish products, certain factors delay the process of global recognition. When compared to other countries, the concepts of canned and tinned foods are considerably less in India. Due to this reason India lacks behind in the production of canned food. The price of retail canned foods is also high. The reason for the hike in price is the minimal production of can that are used the purpose of importing. Most of the countries make use of two piece cans, where as India uses three piece cans. (Suleiman, 2010). This eventually increases the price of canned foods. This also leads to the decrease in the production and export of canned Indian fish products. The fisheries department, export and import of fish contribute to 1/3rd of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The fisheries sector contributes more to the country’s total income and the value is around 4. 4 billion US $. (Corporate Catalyst India, 2005). This clearly shows that the production and export has increased when compared to the past. The volume of export also increased contributing to the total export rate. There has been a drastic improvement in terms of volume and value of fish production. (Ali, 1998). This is evident from the previous researches and surveys which reveal that India has improved when compared to the past. Though the production and export has increased, the production of processed fish is comparatively less than the other countries. Thailand, a relatively smaller country than India, is one of the leading fish exporters in the world. Though India has a wider coastline of 8000km, the production of fish is less when compared to Thailand. With the fertile coastline of 2500km, Thailand manages to out beat other major fish exporters by exhibiting a steady growth in the production of seafood. Thailand has a wider market since countries like United States and Singapore are the major consumers of Thailand’s fish products. These countries prefer fresh food products rather than preserved foods. The fresh seafood is exported on a daily basis to these countries. (Ashwin, 2008). Processed food has also found a place in the international fish production and export. The export of canned seafood contributes to the major part of the revenue of Thailand’s fisheries department. The volume of export is also high when compared to India and Thailand has registered an enormous growth in the export of canned foods in the past five years. The percentage of processed food is more when compared to the export of fresh seafood. India lacks behind in the export of processed food, since the type of can used is entirely different. Due to this factor, Thailand has increased the production and export of canned foods which are widely preferred. (Jhingran, 1991). The fisheries department in India has worked on certain strategies to improve the existing situation and to increase the rate of export of processed foods. Most of the states in India have implemented various methodologies to raise the production and export of fish. Reference Jhingran, F., 1991. Fish and Fisheries of India. California: Hindustan Publications. Suleiman, B., 2010. Fish Processing. U. K: Verlag Publishers. Ali, S., Marine Fisheries Economics and Development in India. New Delhi: MD Publications. Corporate Catalyst India., 2005. Food Processing in India. Indian Food Processing Industry. Available at: http://www. cci. in/pdf/surveys_reports/food-processing-india. pdf [Accessed 16 January 2011]. Ashwin, M., 2008. India: food Processing Industry. Swiss Business Hub India. Available at: http://www. osec. ch/internet/osec/de/home/export/countries/in/export/economic_report.- [Accessed 16 January 2011].