Tamil Nadu has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to elevate its seafood exports to USD 5 billion annually, leveraging its extensive coastline—the second largest in India—for value-addition and infrastructure development, as announced by Industry Minister T R B Rajaa.
Despite being a major fishing hub, the state currently ranks only seventh among seafood-exporting states, trailing behind Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal. To correct this, the government is prioritizing a series of infrastructure upgrades, including new processing units, enhanced cold chains, and modern export-grade packaging facilities along its coast.
The initiative is part of a broader Blue Economy strategy aligned with CM Stalin’s vision for a USD 1 trillion economy—also featuring shipbuilding, coastal tourism, and skills development programs like Naan Mudhalvan. Value addition through processing and quality improvements, supported by infrastructure and workforce skilling, will be key to scaling exports sustainably.
Currently, Tamil Nadu contributes roughly ₹6,000 crore to seafood exports—far below Andhra Pradesh’s ₹8,000 crore—underscoring its considerable untapped potential. As the roadmap rolls out, investments in coastal roads, power for cold storage, and port handling are expected to enhance competitiveness and empower coastal communities.
