SHYAM MARINE FOODS - Overcoming the Chinese Debacle

By BWA Envoy
May 04, 2022
2 Minutes Read

Seafood consumption has increased dramatically over the last several decades, particularly in less developed nations. The nutritional value of seafood has been pivotal in driving up consumer demand.

The Indian economy depends heavily on exports of a large volume of seafood to China. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China suspended the supply of seafood products from several Indian marine export companies. China is an easier market for local firms as they export plain seafood items only after cleaning them without making any value addition. On the other hand, on receiving the imported seafood items, Chinese processors add value to those items and re- export them to other international markets, including Europe and America.

The emerging situation of suspension of supply by China has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Indian exporters. China is a low-priced and highly inconsistent market. Many Veraval-based exporters have decided to enter markets where China re-exports Indian seafood after value addition. Being an exclusive economic zone and its coverage of about 1/5th part of the Indian coastal line, the state of Gujarat holds a top position in fisheries. Veraval seafood cluster in Gujarat contains 60 registered fisheries units. Among them, about ten units in the cluster export to the European Union (EU), while the remaining units export to south Asian countries and China. Major steps in the processing of seafood include washing, gutting, skinning, trimming, grading, freezing, glazing, wrapping, metal detection, frozen storage, and despatch.

One of the prominent seafood processing companies in the cluster includes Shyam Marine Foods (www.bluetreasure.in). The company exports its products to China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and various Gulf, African and European Countries. Its product range includes packaged seafood items like ribbonfish, croaker, Indian mackerel, reef cod, squid whole, Japanese threadfin bream, cuttlefish whole, octopus, shrimp, sole fish, eel, leather jacket, tuna, crab and pomfret. All products of the company go through a stringent inspection process by its trained professionals.