The European Union (EU) included India in its revised draft list of approved countries for aquaculture exports on May 12, 2026, ensuring the continuation of seafood exports to the EU market beyond September 2026.
The move corrects India’s earlier omission from Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 and follows India’s compliance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905, which requires exported animal products to be free from antimicrobial substances used for growth promotion or reserved for human medical treatment.
The decision reflects the EU’s recognition of India’s regulatory and monitoring systems for seafood exports, particularly the National Residue Control Programme (NRCP) implemented through the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC). These systems include surveillance and laboratory testing for banned antibiotics and other residues in aquaculture products.
The EU currently represents India’s third-largest seafood export market, accounting for 18.94% of total seafood export value. During FY 2025–26, India’s seafood exports to the EU increased by 41.45% in value terms, reaching approximately US$ 1.593 billion, while export volumes rose by 38.29%. Farmed shrimp remains the primary contributor to India’s aquaculture exports to the region.
Key Export and Compliance Benchmarks
EU Market Value: US$ 1.593 billion in seafood exports during FY 2025–26.
Export Growth: Value up 41.45%; quantity up 38.29%.
Regulatory Basis: Compliance with EU Delegated Regulation 2023/905.
Primary Commodity: Farmed shrimp remains the leading export product.
Regulatory Systems: NRCP surveillance and residue-testing mechanisms recognized by the EU.
What is the "National Residue Control Programme (NRCP)"?
The National Residue Control Programme (NRCP) is a mandatory surveillance system implemented by India to monitor and control the levels of residues of veterinary drugs, pesticides, and heavy metals in animal products intended for export. In the aquaculture sector, it involves systematic sampling at various stages of production and processing to ensure compliance with the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by international bodies and importing regions like the European Union. This program provides the official guarantees required by global regulators that Indian seafood is safe, traceable, and free from prohibited substances like antimicrobial growth promoters.
Policy Relevance
Protects Export Continuity: Continued inclusion in the EU-approved list prevents disruption to one of India’s largest seafood export destinations, which accounted for nearly 19% of seafood export value in FY 2025–26.
Strengthens Food Safety Systems: The decision reinforces the importance of India’s residue-monitoring and antibiotic-testing systems under the National Residue Control Programme (NRCP).
Supports Coastal Livelihoods: Stable access to the EU market remains critical for shrimp farmers, seafood processors, exporters, and coastal employment networks dependent on aquaculture exports.
Encourages Regulatory Upgradation: Compliance with evolving EU standards may accelerate investments in traceability, laboratory infrastructure, and internationally aligned aquaculture practices.
Enhances Global Market Credibility: Recognition by the EU strengthens India’s reputation in other highly regulated export markets where antimicrobial restrictions and food safety standards are becoming stricter.
Supports Marine Export Strategy: Continued market access aligns with India’s broader Marine Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which emphasises expansion of maritime exports and the blue economy.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can India strengthen traceability, residue monitoring, and sustainable aquaculture practices to maintain long-term competitiveness in increasingly regulated global seafood markets?
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